November 2018 • free South Jersey
YEARS 9 2
A Seat at the Table
An Allergy-Free Feast • The Adoption Option Gifted and LD • Sensory-Friendly Shows • School Survey Magazines • Guides • Events • Facebook • Twitter • Pinterest • Instagram
MetroKids.com
Contents
Give Your Child the Gift of a Westfield Friends School Education!
NOVEMBER 2018 • Vol. 23, No. 11
In This Issue 4 Top STEM Toys 5 Adoption Option 6 Genetic Testing 8 Dropping AP 8 Win It! 14 Allergy-friendly Feast
4
OPEN HOUSE: Friday, November 9 9-11am
SpecialKids 10 Gifted and LD 11 LD School Survey 12 Sensory-friendly Performancs 13 Top Venues for SK Families
14
Commitment to Diversity•Vibrant Arts Program Spanish & Latin•Media/Technology Lab•OWLS Lab •Team Athletics•Beautifully wooded campus •Commitment to Service Learning •Conveniently located for Philadelphia and South Jersey families
Family Fun 15 Day-by-Day Fall Calendar
Academic Excellence Since 1788 •Preschool through 8th Grade
Ad Sections
12
2201 Riverton Road •Cinnaminson, NJ 856-829-0895 • www.westfieldfriends.org
3 Events; 3,9 Education; 7 Health; 18 Child Care
Please Touch Museum
OPEN NOW! pleasetouchmuseum.org
4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131 • 215-581-3181
NOVEMBER 2018
MetroKids.com 3
MK Memo
The Science of Play
STEM Toys: Our Top Picks of 2018 Our hypothesis is simple: The emphasis in recent years on the importance of science, technology, engineering and math has permeated the world of toys, resulting in a slew of fantastic playsets for all ages. In celebration of National STEM Month, here are the year’s hottest toys that are as fun as they are educational. Think & Learn Rocktopus Fisher-Price; 3+; $59.99 This sea creature lets preschoolers explore a variety of musical styles while learning the sounds of various instruments, discovering fun facts and composing rhythmic patterns. Your mini maestro will be so tuned into the jam session that she may not realize she’s practicing math concepts such as counting, addition, subtraction and pattern recognition. Sky Track Playset Magformers; 3+; $99.99 The sky’s the limit with this 44-piece set in which kids build a roller coaster that twists, turns and loops. Take the space shuttle for a ride up the lift elevator, then watch it zoom around the track. Each geometric shape contains magnets that never reject, so there’s no need for budding builders to limit their creativity. See Win It! p. 8. Circuit Conductor Kit Pai Technology; 4+; $69.99 Twelve electrical function blocks and six insulated magnetic wires let little ones build circuits, from basic setups to parallel circuits. Watch as the blocks light up, make sound and move, and be sure to check out the free app for tutorials. See Win It! p. 8. 4 MetroKids.com
Kids First Coding and Robotics Science Kit Thames & Kosmos; 4+; $129.95 Don’t be fooled by the peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich — it’s actually a robot that imparts the principles of coding with no tablet or smartphone needed. Six storylines, each with a different series of challenges, help users practice what they learned. As for the “sandwich”? It can be programmed to move, play sounds, light up and activate its output gear. Dash Smart Robot Wonder Workshop; 5+; $149.99 This kid-centric robot moves, responds to voice commands and acts as an open-ended learning platform that allows users to explore loops, events, conditions and sequences. Add-on apps create new behaviors for Dash, as well as educational possibilities. Boolean Box Educational Computer Kit Boolean Girl; 7+; $149.99 This build-it-yourself computer engineering kit geared toward girls is equipped with Raspberry Pi — a basic computer often used to teach coding — and software, plus a mouse and keyboard. No internet connection is necessary; just connect the kit to an HDMIcapable TV and your child is ready to tackle hundreds of simple projects created by experts. Visit MetroKids.com/StemToys to check out more top picks.
1412-1414 Pine St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215-291-5560; 856-667-3555; 302-224-3020 Toll Free: 888-890-4668 Fax: 215-291-5565 Visit us online at MetroKids.com
President: Nancy Lisagor, PhD, ext. 109 nlisagor@metrokids.com Publisher: Darlene Weinmann, ext. 108 dweinmann@metrokids.com Managing Editor: Dave Gilmartin, ext. 102 editor@metrokids.com Resource Editor: Cheyenne Shaffer, ext. 101 calendar@metrokids.com Contributing Writers: Terri Akman, Suzanne Koup-Larsen, Frank Lipsius, Kathy O’Connell, Ann L. Rappoport, PhD Production Manager: Veronica Hanna, ext. 103 production@metrokids.com Finance: Marcella Reis, ext. 104 finance@metrokids.com Marketing/Circulation: Susan Braverman, ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Interns: Matthew Brooks, Ben Lowenthal
ADVERTISING SALES 888-890-4668 Chrisy Holsopple
ext. 111
Pam Kuperschmidt
ext. 120
Emily Ondik
ext. 105
Samantha Tuttle
ext. 106
ext. 100
Classified Sales
We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.
MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2018 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Publications do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement. SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free. AWARD–WINNING MEMBER OF THE:
NOVEMBER 2018
Parenting
The Adoption Option International adoptions in decline, but domestic alternatives abound.
By Malia Jacobson When it comes to adoption, there’s no such thing as “normal.” Just ask Christina and Kevin Kindt. When they had a biological child, they were already parents to three other children: a five-year-old and threeyear-old adopted as infants from foster care, and a one-year-old whose adoption from foster care was still in progress. Though not the typical family, the Kindts are far from alone. According to the Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, 2 percent of American children are adopted, which likely means adoption touches most families, schools and communities across the country. Modern adoptive parents and adoptees won’t encounter many of the old stigmas and biases that used to besiege adoptions. Not long ago, “You’re adopted!” was the ultimate childhood insult, birth mothers were shamed into hiding the pregnancy and lying about the birth, and adoptive parents kept the matter a closely guarded family secret. After being shrouded in silence and secrecy for most of its history, adoption is coming out of the shadows as it enters the mainstream, according to Adam Pertman,
author of Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming our Families — and America. But would-be adoptive parents still face challenges. They must choose which type of adoption to pursue and figure out how to pay mounting fees and navigate the exploding world of online adoption information.
Out of the shadows
Today, only 5 percent of adoptions are “closed adoptions” in which the birth parents and adoptive parents have no contact and birth records are sealed. The 95 percent of the agencies that offer open adoptions allow for ongoing contact between the adoptive family and the birth parents. That’s good news for everyone. Research from the Donaldson Institute shows that open adoptions are associated with greater satisfaction. Birth mothers who have ongoing contact with their children experience less grief and greater peace of mind and adoptees have access to their biological families and medical histories. In international adoptions, ongoing contact between birth parents and adopted children can be harder to arrange due to logistics, language barriers, and a host of legal and other complications. But those, too, are slowly cracking open.
International adoptions
Those who dream of international adoption, like Lacey Yantis and Scott Blank who traveled to Ethiopia earlier this year to adopt their son Ermias, 1, face a number of hurdles. Among them is the choice of an adoption site from the dwindling
list of countries open to U.S. adoptions. Under tighter regulations, the number of international adoptions is in decline. After an historic high of 22,884 in 2004, it fell to 12,753 in 2009. Russia, one of the top countries for American parents, is now closed to U.S. adoptions, as is Guatemala, Haiti, Rwanda and Vietnam. China and Ethiopia have cut adoptions drastically and lengthened waiting times. The waiting game adds costs as attorney and agency fees pile up. The Donaldson Institute reports costs of up to $25,000 for visas, documents and fees charged by the home country. Yantis says her family’s adoption fees were between $25,000 and $30,000.
Domestic adoptions
Domestic adoptions can be relatively quick. Adoptive Families magazine says 34 percent of U.S. parents who adopt a newborn domestically were matched with a child within three months; 19 percent brought their baby home in four to six months. Domestic adoptions can be private, through an attorney, adoption facilitator or agency, or public, through the foster-care system. The Donaldson Institute estimates domestic-adoption costs for agency and private adoptions at $4,000 to $30,000. It’s a wide range that includes costs for home studies, post-adoption supervision, and court fees.
Newborn vs. older
Newborn adoptions through the foster system are relatively rare — only 2 percent of children adopted through the public system are newborns, according to the Donaldson Institute. Thanks in part to federal incentives enacted during the Clinton administration, foster-care adoptions increased 40 percent between 1995-1998. By 2008, 55,000 children were adopted from foster care.
Continued on p. 9 NOVEMBER 2018
MetroKids.com 5
Health
Baby Genes The growth in tests you can get before, during and after pregnancy
By Lynda Dell “When I discovered that I was pregnant with Margot, I was overcome with happiness to know that our family would be growing again,” says Rebecca Weiss of Huntingdon Valley, PA. Genetic counseling wasn’t even suggested six years ago when her first daughter was born; it wasn’t offered two years ago when her son was born either. “But then magically when I hit 35, all of the sudden, they were bringing up genetic counseling and screening,” says Weiss.
genetic conditions, at a reduced cost and with quicker results, says Lama Elkhoury, director of genetic counseling services at Sema4, a genetic-testing venture of Mount Sinai Health System, based in Stamford, Conn. “Five or six years ago, to sequence just one gene could cost about $2,000 and take six-to-eight weeks to get the results back,” she says. “Now we can sequence hundreds of genes in carrier screening panels, with rapid turnaround time and at more affordable rates due to decreased sequencing costs.” Despite the reduced costs, the decision to be tested sometimes depends on whether the family’s health-care coverage will pay for it. “Often genetic testing is driven by the patient’s preference and insurance provider,” says Schindewolf.
Family planning Field grows quickly
Part of the reason, in addition to her age, is that genetic testing has advanced so quickly. “Since screening is changing yearly, it can be overwhelming for patients to even know which tests are offered,” explains Erica Schindewolf, a genetic counselor at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “If you were pregnant before, you might think you know, but there could be another option that came into the pipeline.” Despite the increase in the number of genetic tests, it’s important to remember that the chance your baby will have a birth defect is usually 3 to 5 percent, says Zohra Ali-Khan Catts, director of cancer genetic counseling at Christiana Care Health System’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute in Newark, DE.
Costs, time continue to fall
Advancements in technology have led to more accurate testing for specific
Ideally, the best time to review your family’s health history is before you are pregnant. A genetic screening determines if you and your partner are carriers for some of the most common genetic conditions that may affect the outcome of pregnancies and the likelihood of passing the mutation to your baby, explains Schindewolf. Many families mistakenly believe a genetic screening can check for all genetic conditions. “It doesn’t, it only screens for 100 or 200 very selective conditions, but it’s definitely a good baseline risk assessment,” says Schindewolf, especially if you are part of a population that has a high frequency for some diseases, such as TaySachs among those of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
‘Maybe we should slow down’
While it is possible to be screened for hundreds of conditions, should you? Richard Fischer, MD, division head of maternal-fetal medicine at Cooper University Hospital of NJ, follows the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which suggests screening for the most commonly tested genetic conditions: cystic fibrosis, hemoglobinopathies, such as sickle-cell disease, and spinal muscular atrophy. “The concern is that one lab tries to outdo the other by saying they have more tests, more screening, more detection, when the process has not been standardized,” Fischer says. “We are relying on the claims of these commercial companies to be the newest and the greatest.” Screening may not be accurate for some rare diseases, he notes, which could cause patient anxiety, especially because the fetus cannot be tested to check for some conditions. “Maybe we should slow down and just do the standard tests, unless there’s something in the family or a certain ethnic background that suggest you are at higher risk,” he says.
Prenatal screening
Once you are pregnant, testing can be done on the fetus for certain conditions. The Sequential screen that uses a blood test and ultrasound, done between 11 and 14 weeks and 16 to 18 weeks, detects about 99 percent of Down syndrome cases with a 3.5 percent false-positive rate, says Fischer, and can detect about half of other chromosomal abnormalities. The Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is also offered to all expectant moms but is
continued on p. 11 6 MetroKids.com
NOVEMBER 2018
Quality Counts
The experts in orthopaedic care for kids
Rooted in Tradition, Progressive Early Learning
Infant & Toddler Programs Flexible Preschool Programs Pre-Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten Full Day Kindergarten Creative Curriculum® STEAM Curriculum Jewish Values & Traditions Swim Lessons, Gym, Music & Art Tadpoles: Daily Digital Parent Reports NEW for 2018-19 School Year!
ool year h c s 19 he 2018 ltures
!
ow fmoe rfamtilies of all faiths & cu n r e t s i Reg We welco
2016
katzjcc.org/ece 856-424-4444 x1242
215-430-4000
www.shrinersphilly.org We’re social!
@shrinersphilly
1301 Springdale Road • Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
NOVEMBER 2018
MetroKids.com 7
Education
Schools Go AP Free
Win It!
FALL FREEBIES
Student stress over AP tests prompts some high schools to back off. By Ben Lowenthal Many high schools brag about the number of Advanced Placement courses they offer, but, in recent years, a few schools have gone the opposite direction and dropped AP classes altogether. AP courses allow students to experience the rigor of college-level courses and demonstrate to college-admissions committees that the applicant is able to excel in such classes. Students can also earn college credit if they score well on the AP tests based on the courses, which can save families thousands in tuition. The number of high schools that offer AP courses grew steadily after they were introduced in the 1950s but not all schools continue to expand their AP offerings. The Haverford School in Haverford, PA and Westtown School in West Chester, PA, dropped AP courses in 2005; The Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA stopped AP instruction 2010.
‘It’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid’
“It makes it really hard to be a student,” Westtown director of college counseling Jessica Smith says. “You feel like you have to take all these tests and score really well, but what’s far more important is how you do in school. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid and taking away that AP designation takes off some pressure.” Laura Blankenship, assistant head of school at Baldwin, says AP courses aren’t the best way for students to learn or prepare for college-level academics. “As an educator, you can see that a lot of the AP courses are very focused on memorizing facts and spitting them back out on tests,” Blankenship says. “Some are about applying knowledge, but increasingly what you need in college, and beyond, is the ability to have a deeper understanding.” The pushback against AP is not just in this region. Eight independent schools in the Washington, DC area announced over the summer that they would drop the courses from their curriculums by 2022. Their objection is that AP courses value a high intake of information over a deeper understanding of the topics, all so that students can get a good grade on a test.
College Board defends AP classes
Still, more than 20,000 schools keep AP in their curriculum and the College Board, which created the Advanced Placement program, defended it after the announcement by the Washington DC schools. “Over the past decade, the students at these independent schools have taken over 8,800 AP exams and potentially earned more than 11,700 credit hours at the colleges to which they sent their AP scores, equating to at least $5 million in tuition savings for families,” says Maria Alcon-Heraux, director of media relations for College Board. AP exams are also a crucial indicator for how a student will perform in college, she says. “Research consistently shows that students who earn a 3 or higher on AP exams earn higher GPAs in college, get a head start in their majors, are likely able to graduate in 4 years and have higher graduation rates,” Alcon-Heraux says. Some schools, like The Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ, have dropped the AP label but still offer courses that prepare students to take the AP tests. “Parents and kids were counting numbers of APs that they were taking,” says David Laws, dean of academics at Lawrenceville. “Removing the designation took a lot of pressure off. ” Colleges want to see that a student challenged himself, regardless of what the class is called.. “They want to see that students are taking the most rigorous courses that they can be successful in,” says Laws. Ben Lowenthal is a MetroKids intern from Temple University.
8 MetroKids.com
Snag the Magformers Sky Track Playset* (3+) and the Circuit Conductor Kit* (4+) featured in our roundup of the year’s hottest STEM toys on p. 4. ($170) The Little Book of You is a personalized, illustrated baby book that features unique details — gathered from an online questionnaire — about the day your child was born, details on the historical significance of her birthday, a customized family tree and a letter from you to your little one ($49.95) The holidays are almost here; make sure the kids are prepared with the Portable North Pole* bundle, including Do-Good Elf, Santa’s Letter Kit, the 24 Sleeps Until Christmas book and a baby reindeer plush. ($63.99)
12
Starts Dec. 3rd!
DAYS Gifts of
$2,000+ in Prizes!
Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Nov. 1. Prizes marked with an asterisk (*) must be picked up at the MetroKids office in Center City. Other prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.
NOVEMBER 2018
Parenting continued from p. 5 Foster-care adoptions aren’t as prohibitively expensive as other types of adoption — there are no agency fees, legal fees are often minimal and reimbursed by the state, and parents can claim the adoption tax credit (as can parents who adopt internationally or through an agency or attorney).
When you look into an early education classroom, you should see the staff talking with the children, sitting with the children, playing with the children. Interaction is essential to quality. Come see what quality looks like at Holding Hands!
Quality is...
Build a family
Despite the obstacles, parents can follow their heart to build a family that’s uniquely their own. The Kindts may not be a cookie-cutter clan, but that doesn’t bother their happy children in the least. Instead, Elizabeth is puzzling over her new brother’s birth. “Adoption is so normal to her, that she’s trying to figure out why this baby doesn’t need to be adopted,” says Christina. “One day, she figured it out, though, and told everyone ‘Mommy grew a baby in her tummy. And he’s already adopted!’”
Interaction
Malia Jacobson is a nationally published parenting journalist and mom of three.
856-467-6811 138 Tomlin Station Road • Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 www.holdinghandsfamily.com
MKGenAdNov18.indd 1
10/24/2018 11:06:41 AM
Great Kids, Going Places.
Age 3 through Grade 12
Meet great kids like Alyssa at an upcoming Open House: Friday, Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. Tour de Friends campus visit day
Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. “Moorestown Friends School allows every student to become his or her authentic self.” Visit MFS and waive the application fee. For more information or to RSVP, call (856) 914-4426, email admiss@mfriends.org, or visit www.mfriends.org.
NOVEMBER 2018
Alyssa Runyan ’18 Hometown: Moorestown Activities/Honors: Soccer - First Team All-Friends League and Captain, member of 2017 State Championship team and three Sectional Championship teams; Varsity Basketball - Friends League Honorable Mention and Captain; Golf; Two-time Herm Magee Outstanding Athlete Award winner; Spanish Language Award Memorable Academic Project: Honors Anatomy and Physiology project researching flexibility and elasticity of calf muscles College: Purdue University Career Interest: Physical Therapy
MetroKids.com 9
SpecialKids
Twice Exceptional Gifted students with ADHD, autism or dyslexia.
By Terri Akman When a bright college freshman from an extremely academic family flunked out of college by the midterm of her freshman year, she felt ashamed. She always felt like the smartest person in the class, but somehow couldn’t turn her homework in on time. An evaluation determined that she had a 140 IQ, but also had attention deficit disorder (ADHD). Once her ADHD was treated and she was able to concentrate on her homework, she went back to college and graduated with an A average. She is one of an estimated 350,000 children in the US between 5 and 18 years old who are considered twice-exceptional — both gifted and with a special need or disability, says Peter Wiley, a psychologist in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as well as in its Center for Management of ADHD. These students typically have an IQ of about 130 — the top 2 percent — but may have retention problems with reading or math due to ADHD, for example. Dyslexia can inhibit their reading; autism can affect them socially. “We don’t ever want to say that a child who is gifted, but who is not doing well, is lazy if the real explanation is she has a learning disability or ADHD,” says Wiley. “That just knocks the child’s self-esteem even lower. “Conversely, if they have ADHD or a learning disability, it should not preclude them from being in the gifted program.”
How gifted students are identified
Twice-exceptional students are often identified first as gifted and then additional tests reveal a deficit. Brandywine School District in Wilmington, DE tests all students between PreK and Kindergarten to identify gifted children. Those scores are reviewed by a Gifted Education Panel Review team. Another assessment is done in kindergarten and students continue to be monitored for giftedness individually through 8th grade. “Any person — a teacher, parent or counselor — can refer a student to be reviewed by the panel,” says Cary Riches, director of curriculum, instruction and assessment PreK to 12 for Brandywine. “We spend a minimum of a halfhour on every student looking at exact evidence — student work and teachers speaking to the student’s specific needs.” In the Moorestown Township Public Schools, staff keep an eye out for students who may show an expertise in a particular discipline, says Carole Butler, director of curriculum and instruction for the district. “If a parent notifies us first, we will
10 MetroKids.com
work with the parent to come up with a solution that meets the needs of the child.” she says. “Each year, we do an annual review of the child to determine the next course of action.” Sometimes a student with an educational deficit, such as a learning disability or physical impairment, proves to be exceptional in another area. Many people, famous for a particular talent, have had deficits, including Helen Keller, who was deaf and blind, and Albert Einstein and Tom Cruise, both of whom were diagnosed with dyslexia.
Parent advocates
Parents know their children best and are often their strongest advocates. Lisa Lawson, director of special education and student support services for Brandywine, used as an example a gifted student whose need for A’s caused her to literally pull her hair out and her parents turned to the school for help. “We were addressing her social/emotional health and needs at the same time that we were trying to enable her to continue her high-level work.” The National Association of Gifted Children encourages parents to help keep their twice-exceptional students organized through checklists and frequent reminders of due dates.
Address challenges
Twice-exceptional students can feel frustrated; they know they are bright, but still struggle to read or concentrate, for example. That can lead to low self-esteem. He might think, “I’m a failure. I seem to have all this talent but I can’t get the job done,” says Wiley. They can also feel socially isolated. Though exceptionally bright, students on the autism spectrum may struggle with the social skills needed to understand body language, sarcasm and abstract concepts. They may require specific specialized instruction in those areas to be able to fit in with their peers. Teachers can also adjust the curriculum to fit a particular student’s needs to keep that child interested and motivated. “For example, with a science unit, a student could do a rigorous project where she chooses an area of interest related to the core lesson,” says Riches. “The teacher is trying to build a unit where the student has the opportunity to use a different lens.” Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.
NOVEMBER 2018
2018-2019 Learning Differences School Survey continued from p. 6
A traditional classroom might not always be the best choice for a child with special needs. A school that specializes in methods tailored to students with Learning Differences can help them reach their full potential. Here is a guide to South Jersey schools that can help if your child has been diagnosed with learning challenges such as School
Enrollment
Grades/ Ages
Tuition
Staff/student ratio
dyslexia or ADHD. Use the key to navigate the information, including distinct special needs served, and get more school info online at MetroKids.com/specialneedsschools. After you identify schools of interest, arrange a tour of each facility. An in-person visit is the best way to confirm whether a school is right for your child. Support services
Tech
Learning strategies
Bridge Academy, The Comps., iPads, OrtonLawrenceville, NJ 70 Ages 8-18 FAPE 1:3 Laptops, Learning Gillingham Banj.org Ally, SmartBoards Multisensory curriculum for students with average to above-average intelligence & learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and ADHD. LD Cambridge School Smart Boards, Grades $46,920 iPads, 3D-printer, Pennington, NJ 120 1:8 K-12 FAO chromebooks Thecambridgeschool.org Individualized, multisensory, comprehensive & structured program for bright children who learn differently. LD
Lindamood- Bell, Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading
Lewis School of Princeton; Princeton, NJ Lewisschool.org
Lindamood- Bell, Wilson Reading, Multisensory instruction
195
Grades PreK-PG
$13,250$36,500 FAO
Communication tech
Vocational opportunities
Extracurriculars
College prep, life skills
Art, music sports, phys.ed., theater
Other services
Music, theater, sports, field trips
College prep
Art, music, theater, sports
Life skills
Art, music, sports
Multisensory academics for language-based learning difficulties related to dyslexia, auditory processing and ADHD. LD Orton-Gillingham, Newgrange School Inspiration, Grades FAO, FAPE T2C, Wilson Hamilton, NJ 95 Dragon Dictate, 2-12+ Private pay Reading Thenewgrange.org Learning Ally Academics including STEM for those with autism, nonverbal communication disorders, learning differences, dyslexia and Asperger syndrome. LD
Orton-Gillingham, Life skills, VocaOrchard Friends School Chromebooks, Grades $45,000 Linamood- Bell, Riverton, NJ 20 1:4 iPads, Smart tional Training K-12 FAO Fast ForWord Orchardfriends.org Boards Middle States-accredited school dedicated to the education of children with language-based and other learning differences. ASP, AUT, HI, LD, NI, PDD, VI
TUITION FAO = Financial aid offered FAPE = Paid for by referring school district
SPECIAL NEEDS SERVED ASP AUT HI LD NI PDD VI
KEY
Health continued from p. 6
SUPPORT SERVICES = Medical staff/Nursing OT = Occupational Therapy PT = Physical Therapy ST = Speech Therapy
Asperger syndrome OTHER SERVICES Autism = Residential Hearing impairment/deaf = Extended Day Learning difference/ADHD Neurological impairment = Summer Program Pervasive development disorder Visual impairment/blind
LEARNING STRATEGIES & VOCATIONAL ABBREVIATIONS Lindamood-Bell = strategy that develops sensory-cognitive processes that underlie reading & comprehension Orton-Gillingham = multisensory, sequential, language-based reading approach T2C = Transition to College Wilson Reading = Structured, remedial research-based reading & writing program
NOVEMBER 2018
Art, library, music, field trips, phys.ed.
recommended for women 35 and older because the risk of a chromosome abnormality is higher and the results are more accurate. NIPT is the most sensitive screening option for Down syndrome, trisomy13, trisomy18, says Ali-Khan Catts. “A positive result means the baby has a higher chance to have the condition and a diagnostic test such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling is recommended to determine if the baby has the condition. ”
Newborn screening
Each state has its own set of tests it requires for newborns. Pennsylvania tests for 38 genetic conditions and the results can sometimes be life saving. Gerard A. Margiotti, Jr., MD, of Margiotti & Kroll Pediatrics, in Philadelphia and Bucks County, recalls when he got a call from the state at 10pm on a Saturday night. “One of their tests was positive on a baby, and we were able to send the baby to CHOP,” he says. “The baby was treated and ended up being normal instead of having suffered risk of a serious reaction or death.” You can find out what tests are required in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware at Babysfirsttest.org. Lynda Dell is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer.
Cooper Children’s Regional Hospital in Camden, NJ is testing a new drug to treat PKU, the first genetic condition diagnosed in newborn screening. Learn more at Metrokids.com/PKU
MetroKids.com 11
Friendly Theater Special performances for those with special needs
By Debra Wallace For parents of a child with autism, a visit to a theater, museum or other cultural venue was once a stressful experience. Everyone involved in what was supposed to be a happy family outing was worried about glances or comments from those around them; parents were concerned about the need to constantly monitor their child’s behavior. They feared their child would make noises, fidget excessively and not “behave properly” and the family would be embarrassed or asked to leave.
performance of The Nutcracker at the Pennsylvania Ballet and it was such a positive and comfortable experience that it completely changed the way that we approached future arts and cultural offerings,” says Lynn Schneider, a single mother from Huntingdon Valley, PA. Now that Schneider and her son feel comfortable, they have attended sensory-friendly programs for dance, music and theater. “With an inviting environment and trained staff, we felt more than welcome.”
The road to inclusion
Fortunately, the cultural landscape has become more adaptive and inclusive. Within the last five years, arts and cultural organizations in Pennsylvania, South Jersey and Delaware started to offer a number of sensory-friendly or “relaxed” performances. Today, nearly half of local arts and cultural venues provide adaptive performances, programs and events that are modified for children with special needs and their families.
Grateful parents
Roger Ideishi, who plans adaptive arts and sensory-friendly programs around the country, has watched them thrive. A Temple University professor and director of occupational therapy, Ideishi says the trend to teach artists and venues how to adapt programs for special needs audiences began around 2000. “I first became involved with museum and community outreach programs that didn’t have experience with children who possess diverse abilities,” Ideishi says. “Now, we make sure that area artists and museum educators are trained and well able to address diverse learners. “This has opened the floodgates to new opportunities for families who stayed away for fear of disrupting anyone else’s experience.” Feedback from parents is positive. “A few years ago, I took my 10-year-old son with autism to the sensory-friendly
12 MetroKids.com
Val Murphy, of Southampton, PA and Erin, her 22-year-old daughter with autism, have taken advantage of the times set aside by local museums and theaters for people with special needs, when there aren’t long lines or large crowds. She also appreciates other modifications, which include quieter music and brighter lights during performances. “We have benefited from a lot of these changes and I see more opportunities for Erin and her friends to enjoy community events.” Ideishi knows why parents are so grateful. “These are the few experiences that the parents, siblings and the child with the disability can do as an entire family,” he says. “Most often one family member is so focused on the child with the disability that he or she can’t enjoy the experience.”
Local venues step up
The venues have responded, in part, to the fact that 1 out of 59 children in the
US is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among the local groups with adaptive programs are: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts; Pennsylvania Ballet; Philadelphia Orchestra; Philadelphia Theatre Company; Philly POPS; Walnut Street Theatre, all in Philadelphia; Montgomery Theater in Souderton, PA; People’s Light in Malvern, PA, and Theater Horizon in Norristown, PA. (See Family Fun p. 13 for more venues.) Through the New York-based Theater Development Fund’s Accessibility Program, Broadway has adapted select performances of hit musicals such as Alladin, Frozen, The Lion King, and Wicked. The “nonjudgmental” shows, complete with whimsical fidget toys and compassionate staff, are so popular that tickets sell out in less than two hours. The Kimmel Center will offer its first sensory-friendly production in its Broadway Philadelphia series with a special performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, on Saturday, Dec. 22, at the Merriam Theater. It will include relaxed house rules, designated quiet areas, trained staff and Art-Reach volunteers, noise-cancelling headphones, weighted bean bags, and fidget toys. Audience members can bring stress-relief devices and move around the theater.
Last piece of the puzzle
Ideishi says the last piece of the puzzle, especially for programs that mix typical and special needs audiences, is to educate the public so that there is a welcome social environment. “We have more to do to educate the public about tolerance, acceptance and inclusion,” he says. “We have to help the public understand that community experiences should be for everybody.”
Debra Wallace is a Huntingdon Valley, PA-based freelance writer.
NOVEMBER 2018
Family Fun
Special Needs
FAMILY FUN GUIDE
The Delaware Valley has many cultural institutions and family attractions that make extra efforts to be inclusive to visitors of all abilities. From accommodations that go beyond ADA requirements to events just for those with special needs, there are ample ways for families to make the most of their day out. Here are some of the best.
Aquariums & Zoos Adventure Aquarium, Camden
Meet thousands of water dwellers including sharks, sea turtles, hippos, blue penguins and seahorses during Family Inclusive Special Hours, or F.I.S.H., Nights. In addition to discounted admission, visitors can experience the venue in a relaxed setting with modified lighting and sound.
Philadelphia Zoo, Phila.
KidZooU, an exhibit designed with input from autism experts, provides a multisensory approach in an effort to create an inclusive, comfortable experience. Preplanning tools such as social stories and visual schedules are available.
Amusement Parks & Play Centers BounceU, multiple locations
Two locations give kids an arena to jump and play in a sensory-rich environment. Cherry Hill’s location offers Sensory Rebound on the first Monday of each month, while Exton, PA’s rolls out the program on the last Wednesday. The event encourages children with autism-spectrum and sensory-processing disorders to exercise and socialize.
Sahara Sam’s Oasis, West Berlin
Special Evenings at Sam’s provide families with a judgment-free evening at the waterpark at a reduced rate. Accommodations include modified lighting and sound, quiet rooms, limited lifeguard whistle use, a relaxed dress code, limited ticket sales and the option to bring your own snacks.
NOVEMBER 2018
Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA
The park, the first theme park to earn the Certified Autism Center label, uses two programs to put kids with special needs at ease. The Ride Accessibility program matches abilities with rider requirements on an individual basis, and the Special Access program allows guests to bypass lines. You’ll also find an online sensory guide, designated quiet spaces and lowsensory areas.
Museums
Grounds for Sculpture, Hamilton
The staff at this sculpture park receives ADA training. Visitors with limited mobility can tour the park on a specially equipped vehicle, which visits several first-floor and one-level exhibit spaces. Touch tours, closed-captioned videos and an accessibility map are available by request.
Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila.
Multisensory displays primed for kids with mental and physical disabilities include the Big Dig, where they search for dinosaur bones, and Outside In, a discovery center that lets visitors touch specimens and live animals. Access to Science events reserve the museum just for families with kids on the autism spectrum; join the fun Dec. 28.
The Franklin Institute, Phila.
The venue offers closed captioning during select planetarium shows, as well as assistive listening devices for each of its theaters. Both kids and adults on the autism spectrum can enjoy Sensory-friendly Sundays, where exhibits are modified and quiet spaces are implemented. Plus, pre-registered guests and those who arrive between 9-9:30am get free admission. Clear your schedule for the next event on Dec. 2.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, Phila.
The museum offers a trio of guided tours upon request for those with special needs. Specially adapted tours are tailored to the needs and interests of each group; signlanguage interpreted tours provide visitors with printed scripts; and touch tours allow the visually impaired to experience 3D artworks through touch.
Please Touch Museum, Phila.
Play Without Boundaries events on select Sunday mornings offer tools to ensure a smooth visit for kids with learning and developmental disabilities and those on the autism spectrum. Guests can seek out the “quiet space of the day” and sensory toys, all while enjoying full access to exhibits and programming.
T heaters
McCarter Theatre, Princeton
Sensory-friendly productions allow families to leave and return to the auditorium, bring their own snacks, fidgets or listening devices and cool down in the lobby’s relaxation and quiet area.
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila.
The center’s resident companies present family-friendly favorites with lowered house lights, adjusted sound and a designated quiet space. Don’t miss A Philly Pops Christmas, Dec. 5 at Verizon Hall; How the Grinch Stole Christmas performed by Broadway Philadelphia, Dec. 22, at the Merriam Theater; and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, by the Pennsylvania Ballet Dec. 27 at the Academy of Music.
Walnut Street Theatre, Phila.
No need to stay silent during sensoryfriendly productions here. In addition to the absence of loud noises and dramatic lighting shifts, you’ll notice quiet areas and partitioned vacancies around groups in the audience to prevent claustrophobia.
MetroKids.com 13
An Allergy-friendly
Feast By Michele Haddon Thanksgiving can be a special time for friends and family as they gather around a large feast and reflect on everything for which they are grateful. But when someone with food allergies sits down at the table it can feel like a walk through a minefield. “Individuals or parents of children with food allergies are in a terribly awkward situation during the holidays,” explains Gina Clowes, national director for training and outreach for Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), a food-allergy advocacy organization. “They have to get up their nerve to talk to the host. They have to assess if they can truly trust that the host can provide a safe meal.” The guest with allergies might wonder: Will the host be offended if we volunteer to bring part of the meal? Or eat in advance? Or decline to eat something? According to FARE, up to 15 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.9 million children. With common ingredients like milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish at the top of the list of 170 food allergens, holiday meals can be a difficult time for many. Local parents and food experts have advice on how you can make a Thanksgiving meal that is safe and delicious for all your guests.
Ask questions, read labels
Allison Horvath, of Newark DE, has a son with severe dairy and tree-nut allergies and she emphasizes the importance of communication. “If you are not sure about something, ask. Read all labels,” says Horvath. “Understand the person’s food allergies and the severity of them. We are not trying to
14 MetroKids.com
inconvenience you. We are just trying to keep our loved one safe.” Philadelphia-native Laura Hahn, a gluten-free chef, author and winner of NBC10’s Next Local TV Chef, lives with celiac disease. While not a food allergy, the disease forces Hahn to avoid gluten, which can be found in wheat, rye, barley and, sometimes, oats. Many store-bought products contain gluten, including cranberry sauce and cream of mushroom soup. “Gravy is a huge one,” she adds. “Over the past year, a lot of the powder gravy mixes have a gluten-free option.”
Make simple substitutions
If you cook from scratch, many ingredients can be substituted to make recipes allergy-friendly. “If you make gravy at home, I recommend cornstarch. It does the same exact thing as flour and it’s gluten free,” says Hahn. Fortunately, alternatives are easier to find, says Alyson Harris, a Claymont, DE mom of two kids with dairy allergies. “Over the last four years, some amazing butter and milk substitutes have become available and are not too much more expensive,” says Harris. “My favorite is garlic mashed potatoes made with a dash of soy milk and Earth Balance butter substitute. But watch for flavored or sweetened milks; they are terrible in potatoes.” Since she cooks for her daughter who has egg and soy allergies, Jennifer Vichko, of Yardley PA, has found a few tricks, such as coconut aminos to substitute for soy sauce, and canola, coconut or olive oil instead of vegetable oil. “My family has accepted our new nor-
mal of being egg and soy free and no one feels as if it sacrifices flavor,” says Vichko. “And my daughter feels included and able to enjoy the same foods as the rest of our family.”
Know the source
Be cautious when it comes to storebought items, particularly baked goods and chocolate. “Desserts are where it becomes tricky,” warns Lyn Vijayendran, of Doylestown, PA, whose son has nut allergies. “I ask hosts questions about pies and casseroles especially, as they are notorious for either ‘hidden’ nuts in the food or were made near nuts and peanuts,” says Vijayendran. “Ensure that desserts were not made in a facility where nut and peanut desserts are made, which, honestly, rules out most bakeries.” How the ingredients are handled before they arrive at the bakery is important too. “Always watch out for sourcing,” explains Jen Kremer, manager at Sweet Freedom Bakery, a gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, corn-free, peanut-free, refined-sugar-free, kosher bakery in Philadelphia. “You want to make sure that from harvest, to milling, to storage and packaging, that great care has been taken to keep the food safe.”
Avoid cross-contamination
Be sure to avoid cross-contamination from prep to clean up, says Jax Peters Lowell, author of Against the Grain, The Gluten-Free Bible, “Never let people jump up and clear the table for you,” warns Lowell. “Sweetly turn down all offers of packing leftovers into refrigerator containers. This is a landmine of cross contamination
continued on p. 18 NOVEMBER 2018
Family Fun
Get creative during Family Camp Weekend, Nov. 3 & 4, at Appel Farm in Elmer.
DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR Special needs event Storytime at All Fired Up
select dates
Editor's Pick
$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up
1 Thursday
Storytime: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a leaf votive. $$$
2 Friday
Ghoul Spring Village at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Embark on a lantern-lit tour that highlights local legends and lore. $$$$ Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. $$$$
3 Saturday
Hunters of the Sky
21 Wednesday
Bank of America Museums on Us, Cherry Hill and Millville. Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders are granted free access to participating venues including the Garden State Discovery Museum and Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center. FREE CraftNOW Create at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila. Partake in art activities such as Claymation, button making, nature embroidery and wooden-toy making. FREE
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Nov. 23 - March 3
NOVEMBER 2018
Fall Arts and Crafts Show at the Cape May Convention Hall, Cape May. FREE Family Camp Weekend at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. Activities include art projects, theatre workshops and marshmallow roasting. $$$$ Storytime: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See Nov. 1. $$$
4 Sunday
Bank of America Museums on Us, Cherry Hill and Millville. See Nov. 3. FREE Family Arts Academy: Boxed World at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Make a mini installation. FREE Family Camp Weekend at Appel Farm Arts and Music Center, Elmer. See Nov. 3. $$$$ First Sunday Family Day: Art for All at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Sketch or paint fallinspired masterpieces. FREE
6 Tuesday
Day of the Dead Celebration at the Princeton Shopping Center, Princeton. See “Culture Club,” p. 16. FREE
Mommy-and-Me Program at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. $$
Fire on the Lake at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Galloway. Watch a “bonfire” float on Lake Meone. FREE
Family Movie Night: Coco at Xfinity Live, Phila. $
7 Wednesday
School’s Out Program at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. See “Kids’ Day Off,” p. 16. $$$$
MetroKids.com 15
CULTURE CLUB
Keep the holiday spirit alive during the Day of the Dead Celebration at the Princeton Shopping Center, Nov. 3. The holiday, observed throughout Latin America, pays tribute to those who’ve died via vibrant traditions, many of which will be on display here; families enjoy sugar-skull decorating, folk arts and crafts, strolling mariachis, a pageant and face painting.
8 Thursday
Day-Off Adventures at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. See “Kids’ Day Off,” below right. $$$$ School’s Out Program at the Watershed Institute, Pennington. See “Kids’ Day Off,” below right. $$$$
9 Friday
Day-Off Adventures at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. See “Kids’ Day Off,” below right. $$$$ Kids and Critters Preschool Program at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Little ones explore nature via crafts, stories and outdoor exploration. $$ Nature in Art for Preschoolers: Fall Colors at the Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton. FREE
10 Saturday
Apple Festival at Peddler's Village, Lahaska, PA. Take in fall family activities, seasonal food and live entertainment. FREE
14 Wednesday
Storytime: The Best Thanksgiving Ever at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint a handprint tile. $$$
15 Thursday
Holiday Festival Opening Night at Franklin Square, Phila. Watch the first Electrical Spectacle light show of the season. Through Dec. 31. FREE Storytime: The Best Thanksgiving Ever at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See Nov. 14. $$$
16 Friday
Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark, Hershey, PA. Enjoy light shows and displays, themed rides and meet-and-greets with Santa and his reindeer. Through Jan. 1. $$$ Special Evening at Sam’s at Sahara Sam’s Oasis, West Berlin. Kids with special needs splash around in a sensory-friendly setting, including a relaxed dress code, limited lifeguard whistle use, quiet rooms and fewer crowds. $$$
Bird ID Workshop at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Learn to identify common species found at bird feeders and their habits. FREE
Twilight Hike at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. $$
Family Weekend: Pets in Prison at Eastern State Penitentiary, Phila. Meet the resident pup named Pep, embark on a themed scavenger hunt and discover animals' role in prisons. $$$
Birches Craft Fair at Washington Township High School, Turnersville. Bring nonperishable food to donate to a local pantry. FREE
17 Saturday
Terror Behind the Walls Closing Night at Eastern State Penitentiary, Phila. Brace yourself for one last trip through this haunted attraction for the final time this season. $$$$ Veterans Day Celebration at Cape May Lutheran Church, Cape May. A museum educator shares themed songs and the inspirations behind them. $
11 Sunday
Apple Festival at Peddler's Village, Lahaska, PA. See Nov. 10. FREE Family Arts Academy: Storytelling Through Painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Paint watercolor creatures. FREE Family Weekend: Pets in Prison at Eastern State Penitentiary, Phila. See Nov. 10. $$$ Jersey Shore Comic Book Show at the Toms River Elks, Toms River. $$ Land of Sweets at the Rock Center, Phila. Join the Sugar Plum Fairy for crown making, gingerbread-house building and a meetand-greet with the cast of Nutcracker 1776. $$$$ Veterans Day Celebration at the National Constitution Center, Phila. Write thank-you letters to veterans, make star wreaths and watch patriotic concerts. $$
16 MetroKids.com
KIDS’ DAY OFF
While public schools are closed for the NJEA Convention, keep the kids busy with outdoor exploration. On Nov. 7 & 8, the School’s Out Program at the Watershed Institute in Pennington focuses on aquatic creatures and habitats. And, on Nov. 8 & 9, the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge’s Day-Off Adventures in Medford features hikes, games, animal presentations and crafts. NOVEMBER 2018
Family Fun
ON THE SCENE
Town & County: Food Donation Sites
Every dog has its day, and more than 2,000 pups will have theirs at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia’s National Dog Show, Nov. 17 & 18 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Families cheer on canine competitors during competitions and demos that vary daily, including the coveted “Best in Show” title. Stop by the MK booth for activities and magazines. A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA. Little ones meet Santa, view light displays and watch themed shows featuring Sesame Street characters. Through Jan. 1 $$$$ Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson. Through Jan. 1, enjoy light displays, seasonal treats, Santa’s village and themed rides and entertainment. $$$$ Kennel Club of Philadelphia National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA. See "MK On the Scene," above. $$$ Nature Detectives at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Search for clues to discover which animals are nearby and what they’re up to. $$ PNC Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Phila. Kids are introduced to jazz and musical theatre. FREE Storytime: The Best Thanksgiving Ever at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See Nov. 14. $$$ Toy Drive and Classic Car Show at Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford. FREE Tree-Lighting Ceremony at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. Watch Santa flip the switch on the holiday light display, then take a holiday-themed trolley ride and meet St. Nick himself. FREE
18 Sunday
Kennel Club of Philadelphia National Dog Show at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA. See "MK On the Scene," above $$$
20 Tuesday
Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience at the Annenberg Center, Phila. This parody condenses all seven books into one performance. $$$$
21 Wednesday
Hunters of the Sky Nature Program at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, Medford. $$
.com NOVEMBER 2018
23 Friday
Holiday Light Show on the Lake at Historic Smithville and Village Greene, Galloway. Through Jan. 6, witness more than 100 Christmas trees float and light up to music on Lake Meone. FREE Tree-Lighting Ceremony outside the Haddonfield Public Library, Haddonfield. Following the tree lighting, join Santa for a parade to Kings Court. FREE
The holiday season is all about giving back to the community. Show your family the importance of charity and donate to a food bank near you. BURLINGTON COUNTY Fountain of Life Food Pantry 2035 Columbus Rd., Burlington Sisterhood Inc. 132 E. Broad St., Burlington
Small Business Weekend in downtown Haddonfield. FREE
Twin Oaks Food Pantry 770 Woodlane Rd., Mt. Holly
Wild Wizarding Weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Meet the museum’s resident animals, play a “bunny and broomstick” game, make a magic wand and take home a dragon egg. $$$
Food Bank of South Jersey 1501 John Tipton Blvd., Pennsauken
Winterfest at Blue Cross RiverRink, Phila. Through March 3, visitors can whirl around the ice rink, warm up by fire pits and play arcade games in the kids’ lodge. $$
24 Saturday
CAMDEN COUNTY
Rutgers Cooperative Expanded Food and Nutrition 101 Cooper St., Camden Sacred Heart Food Sharing Program 1739 Ferry Ave., Camden
Small Business Weekend in downtown Haddonfield. FREE
Cathedral Kitchen 1514 Federal St., Camden
Wild Wizarding Weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See Nov. 23. $$$
GLOUCESTER COUNTY
25 Sunday
Small Business Weekend in downtown Haddonfield. FREE
Faith Temple Food Pantry 367 Blue Bell Rd., Williamstown Joseph’s Storehouse 13 Lakeside Ln., Sewell
Wild Wizarding Weekend at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See Nov. 23. $$$
28 Wednesday
Storytime: Eight Little Monkeys at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. Kids paint pictures of the primate. $$$
29 Thursday
Storytime: Eight Little Monkeys at All Fired Up!, Collingswood. See Nov. 28. $$$
30 Friday
PAX Unplugged Gaming Convention at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Tabletop, card and board games are celebrated with tournaments, costume contests, panel discussions and plenty of opportunities to play. $$$$
Log on to MetroKids.com/ familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.
MetroKids.com 17
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 Serv. DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.
NAEYC: Accredited by National Association of Education of Young Children PAIS: Accredited by PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited by Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools AMS: Accredited by American Montessori Society
* Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.
BURLINGTON COUNTY
CAMDEN COUNTY (continued)
BEGINNINGS AT MFS: THE MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL Early Childhood Program, 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 856-914-4428 • MFriends.org Ages: 3 & up • Hours: 8:05am-3:10pm Beginnings at MFS: The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program offers a values-based education for 3-year-olds and up. A project-based approach to learning and wide range of special subject areas are hallmarks of the experience. Moorestown Friends School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer a Coding Program to all Lower School students - Preschool through Grade 4. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem solving and teamwork. These skills will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses. Half-day and full-day Preschool is available. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten are full-day programs. AY, SP, BS, AS, MSCES
SOUTH JERSEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 406 Church Rd., Sicklerville, NJ • 856-728-2001 www.sjchristianacademy.org • Ages: PK - 7th Grade • Hours: 8:15am-3pm M-F South Jersey Christian Academy offers an affordable Christian education for students, Preschool through 7th Grade, in the South Jersey area. We educate today’s children to be tomorrow’s Christian leaders. AY, BS, AS
ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • info@essentialbeginningslc.com Essentialbeginningslc.com • Ages: 2-1/2 yrs.-13 yrs. Hours 6:30am - 6:00pm Essential Beginnings embraces the differentiation approach to teaching. This method ensures that all children can learn the content based on their learning style. FY, AY, SP, SN, DYF FUTURE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER Bruni Square, 1351 Rte. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport, NJ 609-518-1333 • FutureScholarsLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm “Where Generations Come and Grow” Full- and half-day classes available year round. Family-owned and operated with an owner on premises daily. Offering Infant & Toddler Care, PreSchool, Drop-In Hourly Daycare, Established Full-Day Kindergarten, Before- and After-School Care with bussing for township students, Private Tutoring and Summer Camp! We are your one-stop solution for early education and child care! STOP BY TODAY FOR A TOUR! FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DYF OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, NJ • 856-235-5371 • www.olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm • school@olgcnj.org Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day pre-kindergarten programs, as well as full-day kindergarten. Children in first through eighth grades are educated in a top-notch, Catholic school environment, where our mission to form students in the image of Jesus Christ is reinforced daily. We provide education in music, art, specialized clubs, sports, after-school enrichment programs such as Lego Robotics and Latin, Spanish, technology, and physical education. Students do not need to be Catholic to attend our school. Please call to arrange a tour. Financial aid and volunteer opportunities available. AY, SP, AS
CAMDEN COUNTY BEECHWOOD SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN 441 Beechwood Ave., Haddonfield, NJ • 856-429-0303 • TheBeechwoodSchool.com • Ages: 2½ yrs.-K Preschool, Kindergarten, Childcare. Beechwood School is a family-owned, independent, statelicensed school since 1951. We offer both half-day and full-day classes year round for children 2½ through kindergarten. Call for a tour. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DYF PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL 1875 Rt. 70 East., Cherry Hill, NJ 8856-242-0034 • www.primrosecherryhill.com Ages: 6 wks.-Pre-K • Hours: 6:30am to 6:00pm Primrose Schools® is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Our Franchise Owners, Leadership Teams and School Staff partner with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and in life. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, MP, DA, SN, NAEYC
SARI ISDANER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT THE KATZ JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ • 856-424-4444 • KatzJCC.org/ECE Ages: 6 wks.-K • Hours: 6:45am-6:15pm, M-Th; 6pm, F The Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC is an award-winning program and leader in early childhood education. We offer full day infant/toddler care as of six weeks old, nursery school, preschool, full day certified Kindergarten, pre-K and transitional Kindergarten. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE, NAEYC SHINING LIGHTS PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE CENTER 1720 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ • 856-424-4915 www.shininglightsonline.org • Ages: 6 wks.-5 yrs. • Hours: 7:00am-6pm M-F Bible-based curriculum designed by our degreed director and certified teachers focuses on your child’s individual needs. Each classroom boasts hands-on exploration and discovery promoting learning centers. Small class sizes allow a variety of programs, which include: field trips, holiday shows, cooking projects and themed days. State-of-the-art security system and fenced-in playground. FY, AY, SP, DA, DYF
18 MetroKids.com
GLOUCESTER COUNTY BUILDING BLOCKS CHILDCARE Applewood Dr., Logan Township • 856-975-6247 www.buildingblockscc.vpweb.com • Ages: 6 wks-12 yrs • Hours: 24 hours Building Blocks Childcare is a 24-hr. home care facility. We have daily age-appropriate activities. We also go on local trips to the park and library, as well as field trips. We are very flexible and have rates from daily to rates that include overtime. We also accept Rutgers vouchers. Rutgers Resource and Referral. FY, MP, BS, AS, DA, TP, SN HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ • 856-467-6811 Ages: Infant-School Age • Hours: 6am-6:30pm A place for families providing exceptional care, engaged learning and everyday play. A full-service center in a new facility with a gym, three playgrounds, access control system and video monitoring. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS*
BUCKS COUNTY BRIGHT BEGINNERS ACADEMY 800 Clarmont Ave., Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020 267-520-7200 • http://brightbeginnersacademy.com Ages: 6 wks.- 6 yrs. • Hours: 6:45am - 6pm Our preschool is designed to meet the needs of every child in a developmentally inclusive setting. Our program encourages progress at a child’s own pace and according to individual needs and abilities. Play-based learning centers for math, science, dramatic play, blocks, music, creative art and technology provide opportunities to balance and stimulate both shared and independent learning experiences. Private pay and subsidized funding accepted, infant and toddler care available. Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, AY, SP, DA, SN, DHS*, DE
An Allergy-Friendly Feast
continued from p. 14
— glutenous spoons filling gluten-free containers, knives coated in cake crumbs — you get the idea.”
Let your creative side take over
Joshua Bullock, owner of Farmer’s Keep, a Philadelphia restaurant that boasts a gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nutfree, and shellfish-free menu, says he loves the challenge to create delicious meals anyone can enjoy. Bullock, who hosts Thanksgiving every other year and has cousins and a sister with food allergies, says he’s found several ways to make traditional dishes free of allergens, like homemade cornbread for stuffing and starchy potato water to add creaminess to mashed potatoes instead of milk or butter. “For the green-bean casserole we’ll use soymilk and thicken that with cornstarch slurry. For the crispy onions on top, I like to use fresh onions, like a shallot, buy a gluten-free flour, dredge them in that, throw them in the oil and crisp them,” he explains. Most important, enjoy yourself. “Don’t feel like you have to make certain foods. Think of alternatives. Think outside that traditional Thanksgiving box. That’s one of the best things about food, is you can have fun,” he says. Michele Haddon is a freelance writer based in Doylestown, PA. Find recipes and more tips at MetroKids.com/Allergy-FriendlyMeal.
NOVEMBER 2018
CAMP-IN
SLEEPOVER AT THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE Camp-In is the perfect sleepover event for children ages 6-13 and provides an unforgettable experience for families, scout troops, school groups, birthday parties, & more! The theme for 2018/19 is Engineering! DATES + REGISTRATION AT
www.fi.edu/Camp-In
When the museum closes, the FUN begins!
Don’t Miss Out! Shows Sell Fast! Fun For All
THE KELSEY STAR CHRONICLE
VOL. 46
SEASON 2018-2019
FREE COPY
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
KELSEY THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2018-2019 SEASON
Buy tickets now!
QUALITY THEATRE AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE! ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS... Dec. 7-9
NUGGET & FANG September 29 at 2pm & 4pm
RAPUNZEL ‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE Feb. 23 • 29m & CHRISTMAS… 4pm December 7-9
& THE NUTCRACKER - Abridged Narrated
THE NUTCRACKER - Abridged A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE & Narrated December 14 - 16 Mar. 16 • 2pm &SNOW 4pmDAY - An Interactive
SNOW DAY -
December 22-23 JACK & THE BEANSTALK April 13 • 2pm &RAPUNZEL 4pm 23 February
Dec. 14-16
An Interactive Live Radio Show
December 22-23
Live Radio Show
at 2pm & 4pm
A SICK DAYBUS FOR THE MAGIC SCHOOL AMOS MCGEE Saturday, March 16 at 2pm & 4pm May 4 • 2pm & 4pm JACK & THE BEANSTALK Saturday, April 13 at 2pm & 4pm THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS
609-570-3333 Saturday, May 4 at 2pm & 4pm 1200 Old Trenton Rd., W. Windsor, NJ 08558 | 609-570-3333 | kelseytheatre.net kelseytheatre.net
1200 Old Trenton Rd. W. Windsor, NJ 08550
We believe in encouraging our students to express themselves.
Private Special Education … an Option You Should Know About! Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within. Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment. Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.
With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.
These unique services are provided at NO COST for families. Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions. To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org
Brookfield Schools | HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2018 Coalition of Special Education Schools