NW Kids Magazine January 2013

magazine

School Open House Guide | Cat Doorman Art a la Carte | Theater Picks nwkidsmagazine.com

Jan

2013

2 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 3

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editors’

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Welcome 2013 and Happy New Year from NW Kids magazine. We’re looking forward to a year rich with engaging editorial and all the resources you’ve come to expect from us. In the works for the coming months is our 2nd annual camp expo in April, the baby issue in May, our kids cover contest for the June cover and well, you’ll just have to wait and see what else is coming, but it will be good!

January and February bring the excitement and anticipation of school enrollment for the following year.

We have compiled a comprehensive list of schools in the Portland area, features of each and a full listing of open house times, so you can make informed decisions before you head out to tour schools. We’re also featuring music, arts and theater this month, so be sure to check out the article about Art a la Carte, an open studio for young artists. Along with these great resources, we’re also pleased to introduce a new column from Joel Newman, coach and founder of Soccer Shots, a great asset on how to keep kids active and healthy.

Don’t miss Joel’s upcoming columns this year on ways to get kids moving.

We are thrilled to usher in the new year with a few improvements to the look of the magazine and the NW Kids website. You will still have access to all of the usual calendar outings and resources in print, but we have made a few design changes to include more photos. On the website, we have expanded our calendar lisitngs and have more of a calendar “board” for easy perusing. We’re pretty smitten with the new look and hope you enjoy it too. As always, we’d love to hear from you. Here’s to a fabulous 2013, friends!

Cheers, Kelley and Beth

“ Laugh every day, make a fool of your self as much as you can, be brave and always jump into the deep end, and the unknown.

Work hard and find things that make you work harder, it should always feel good at the end of the day. And learn to be as loud as you can in what you feel, and also to be the best listener as well.

Hold on to your dreams tight and keep dreaming. Above all, play.”

- John Ellingson of Northwest Children’s Theater and School 4 | NW Kids Magazine

Contents January 2013

Art Freedom For Everyone: Art a la Carte 8

Calendar of Events 26

Hanging Around with Cat Doorman 10

Notes from a Coach: Healthy Tips & Ideas for Keeping Kids Active 30

School Open House Guide 14

Found Around Town Art & Music 32

Lights, Drama, Action!

5 Picks for Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Theater 24

Resource Guide Art & Craft 34

Photograph by Jen Downer shesawthings.com

Listings A Walk on the Wild Side...............................35 Agia Sophia Academy...................................11 Ainsworth Elementary.................................21 Amanda Arp....................................................9 Aprende con Amigos....................................29 Barre3..............................................................3 Bennett Suzuki Violin Studio..........................9 Beth Israel Preschool.....................................11 Bodhi Tree Center..........................................21 Bridges Middle School..................................11 Burlingame Preschool...................................31 Child’s View Montessori................................11 Dove Christian Preschool..............................21 Fine Art Starts!..............................................13 French American International School.........21 German American School.............................31 Growing Seeds..............................................28 Harmony Road Music Center..........................7 Hi 5 Dental......................................................9 Hilltop Preschool & Kindergarten.................31 International Leadership Academy..............33 Jewish Federation of Greater Portland Winterfest.....................................................34 Justus Orthodontics........................................9 Kids’ Backyard Store........................................2 Little Fruit Farm Montessori..........................29 Living Wisdom School..................................11 Marylhurst School........................................21 Micha-el School............................................31 Montessori of Alameda / Maria’s Place........29 Morgan Stanley.............................................35 My Masterpiece Art Studio.............................7 Oregon Children’s Theatre...............................7 Oregon Episcopal School..............................33 Oregon Hope Chinese School.......................31 Oswego Playschool.......................................13 Park Academy...............................................28 Park Family Dentistry......................................9 Peanut Gallery Playschool............................33 Portland Language Arts...............................13 Portland Montessori.....................................33 Portland Spirit...............................................35 Portland Trampoline.......................................2 Reversed Lens Photography...........................3 Scuola Italiana..............................................13 Small Friends School....................................28 Soccer Shots..................................................36 Spielwerk Toys.................................................7 St. Cecilia School...........................................25 St. Clare School.............................................11 Sweetpeas Kidzone.......................................31 Trillium Preschool.........................................11 Trinity Lutheran School.................................13 Tualatin Valley Preschool..............................34 Tucker-Maxon School...................................21 Village Home................................................33 Westside Montessori International..............13 WeVillage......................................................29 World of Smiles...............................................9 6 | NW Kids Magazine

magazine Publisher / Advertising Director Michelle Snell michelle@nwkidsmagazine.com Editorial Beth Friesenhahn beth@nwkidsmagazine.com Kelley Schaefer-Levi kelley@nwkidsmagazine.com Account Manager Laurel Ackerman laurel@nwkidsmagazine.com Client Services Coordinator / Client Ad Design Karel Chan karel@nwkidsmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: 503-282-2711, ext. 1 sales@nwkidsmagazine.com Design Robyn Barbon robyn@folkloremedia.com Accounting & Business Services Heather Rex heather@nwkidsmagazine.com Connect With Us: • Phone: 503.282.2711 • email: contact@nwkidsmagazine.com • Facebook: facebook.com/nwkids • Twitter: @nwkids • Pinterest: pinterest.com/nwkids NW Kids is published monthly by Miche Media, LLC. Every effort is made to ensure accuracy; sometimes we make errors. Please let us know when we do and accept our apologies.

Printed locally; Please recycle.

what we’re listening to

NW Kids Magazine | 7

A rt Freedom e For Everyon By Kelley Schaefer-Levi

“Art does not have to look like anything!” reads a sign on the wall of Art a la Carte’s new studio in NE Portland. Words at the core of founder Aria Chittenden’s philosophy about how to empower kids to create art of their own definition; it’s also the cornerstone of Art a la Carte’s mission.

Chittenden opened her studio earlier in 2012 in a historical house in Sellwood with the idea that children could come in, find a variety of diverse supplies and create whatever they feel like creating. Kids of all ages are encouraged to make art in all its forms. It’s more than crafting, not to say crafting isn’t cool, but one of Art a la Carte’s goals is to get kids thinking about the unlimited potential of creating art without boundaries. The new location is a spacious, open studio filled with lots of light and is fully stocked with all kinds of media for creating any project kids could imagine.

From feathers and paint to egg cartons, army men, corks from wine bottles to glitter, glue, pom poms, stamps and more. Some favorite creations are creatures of all kinds. Chittenden 8 | NW Kids Magazine

explains, “Kids often leave with monsters or animals they’ve spent a lot of time on.”

Art a la Carte promotes art freedom and wants visitors to leave the studio having had a good time while not feeling limited to creating something according to a certain standard.

Chittenden is passionate about offering kids an unstructured environment different from what they may experience at school or in other art camp programs. “If you want to create your own work of art from unconventional materials, and the finished result doesn’t look like something recognizable to others—that’s the point!” she says.

Check Out Art a la Carte is a great spot for spending long afternoons creating. For a nominal fee kids can hang out with friends and make art. Families on financial assistance get a discount making access possible for everyone. The studio is also available for birthday parties and Spring and Winter break camps. Visit Art a la Carte on First Friday each month where kids can utilize the studio for $2. For more information on upcoming events, parties and camps visit, artalacartepdx.com

NW Kids Magazine | 9

hanging around with Cat doorman Cat Doorman is multi-talented mom, musician, artist and app illustrator Julianna Bright. She loves books and music, and has recently combined the two in her soon to be released debut, The Cat Doorman Songbook. Bright has also just completed her first interactive app for kids with Night & Day studios called Little Red Wagon under the Cat Doorman moniker. The songbook has been playing in our households over the last few weeks, and we adore it. The kids have been requesting more Cat Doorman and it’s no wonder why. Bright’s voice is beautiful and the accompanying arrangements are heartwarming, fun and empowering for kids and adults alike. We’ve been listening to the album’s opening track, “Peaceful” endlessly as a reminder that life is good and filled to the brim with all things wonderful. We recently had the opportunity to ask Bright a few questions about her inspirations and how Cat Doorman came to be. Here’s what she had to say.—KSL & BF

How long have you been writing and performing as a musician?

I’ve been performing for almost 20 years. I think I always wanted to write and sing, but when I first began playing in bands I was way too shy to even try. The drums were perfect for me; a little barrier I could bang on while I found my bearings on stage. I started singing behind the drums and have mostly written very collaboratively in bands, though I’ve always loved writing lyrics. I’d say it’s only been in the last few years that I’ve felt confident enough in my own music writing abilities that I’ve been able to bring songs to my insanely talented collaborators and stand by my decisions.

Another step along the path to overcoming the old shyness, I suppose!

Photographs by Jason Quigley

Can you tell us about ‘little red wagon’? and Cat Doorman?

My friends, Nat Sims and Erin Rackleman run a Portland company called Night & Day Studios that makes educational apps for kids.

Last year, they approached me and asked if I’d want to illustrate and make the music for one of their apps. And, “YES!” I said. It was such an enormously fun and huge project. Literally hundreds of hand painted illustrations on paper...the lovely warmth of a book with all this super fun interactivity. The song is an adaptation of the classic kids’ song “Little Brass Wagon,” with altered lyrics that tell the story of a little girl procuring treats from a dairy, bakery, garden and orchard to share with her friends at a picnic. I recorded the continued on p. 12

10 | NW Kids Magazine

NW Kids Magazine | 11

early part of the year. We’re scheduling Cat Doorman shows for the winter and early spring. My grown up band, Golden Bears, will be finishing up a new record to release in early fall. I’ll be getting to work on another app with Night & Day. And after 13 years together, my steady and I are getting married.

song with Chris Funk (Decemberists, Black Prairie) and said, “make it sound like a teddy bear jug band!” And he totally did!

Cat Doorman is the... I don’t know .... identity? that formed around this effort. Recording the song with Funk was so fun and it felt like it belonged on an album. So last summer I wrote most of the songs on ‘Songbook’ (a few are co-written and one is a Syd Barrett cover) and my partner, Seth Lorinczi, recorded it in our home this early autumn with the help of many, many talented Portlanders.

Do you have a favorite song on the album?

Right now my favorite song is “Two Old Shoes.” I adore the piano arrangement Nick Reddel came up with and Seth’s horn arrangements are so great. It kind of chokes me up every time, so hopefully I’ll be able to get through it live.

What inspires you to create music and art?

I just feel like myself when I’m doing these things.

What do you have in the works for 2013?

I’m working on a video for Cat Doorman with my pal, the musician and video artist Alexis Gideon, so that will come out in early 2013.

Alexis and I have a band together too called Sleepheart and we’ll finish up our record the 12 | NW Kids Magazine

What do you enjoy about living in Portland with your family?

The community. Our friends. And even when the rain threatens to break my spirit, I abide it and find a way to be thankful for it. I love how green this place is.

What’s your idea of the perfect day?

There are two versions. There’s the full day to myself in my studio: loads of tea, pushing a paintbrush around on paper, listening to science podcasts. And then there’s the Saturday where we all manage to sleep in a little, come downstairs in our pjs, make pancakes, work a giant puzzle or make a hammerhead shark out of egg cartons and paper. Take the dog to a park. Head to the nursery. Work in the yard a bit and then make a lovely dinner together.

What’s on your playlist?

Between the different bands, it’s been such a busy year for writing. I find when I’m in this mode I have two settings for the off hours. It’s either classical piano music or total, rock-nroll garbage. So I’ve been listening to a lot of Satie and Bach and Dvorak OR the Stooges and Ty Segall.

The Cat Doorman Songbook will become available this month. Cat Doorman is playing a sold out show on January 6th at Youwho with Blind Pilot. You can also see her perform at Mississippi Studios on January 26th for her record release party. For more information visit, catdoorman.com.

NW Kids Magazine | 13

School Open House Guide Agia Sophia Academy

Ainsworth Elementary

Aprende con Amigos

address

14485 SW Walker Road Beaverton

2425 SW Vista Avenue Portland

5206 N. Interstate Avenue, Portland

phone

(503) 641.4600

(503) 916.6288

(503) 740.0304

website

ASApdx.org

ps.k12.or.us/schools/ p ainsworth

a prendeconamigos. com

description

A rich academic and arts curriculum grounded in Christian values. Fosters a love of learning, personal responsibility and respect for others.

Supports all students in achieving their highest educational and personal potential and inspires in them a lifelong love of learning.

Children â&#x20AC;&#x153;learn with friendsâ&#x20AC;? through an innovative and research-based Spanish immersion program for potty-trained children three to five years old.

open house

January 31 5pm-7pm

January 30 6:30pm

January 16, February 17, March 5

grade range/ age range

PreK-5th Grade

K-5

3-5 years old

full-day kindy

Yes

Yes

No

max enrollment

15 per classroom

45

student teacher 10:1 ratio

7.5:1

Before/After School Care

No

Yes

No

Religious Affiliation

Orthodox Christian

None

None

Tuition Range

$5,000-$7,500 annually

$335-$875 monthly

Financial Aid

Yes

No

Teaching Method

Montessori for ages 3-6

Spanish Immersion

Speciality Program

Kodaly Music, BrainDance P.E., Latin and Greek languages, Art.

14 | NW Kids Magazine

Music, Art, Language, PE.

Yoga for Kids.

Beth israel Preschool

Bridges Middle School

Burlingame Preschool

Child’s View Montessori School

1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland

205 NE 50th Avenue Portland

2401 SW Taylor’s Ferry Road, Ste B, Portland

4729 SW Taylors Ferry Road, Portland

(503) 222.2037

(503) 688.2922

(503) 244.0689

(503) 243.9422

bethisrael-pdx.org

ridgesMiddleSchool.

B org

burlingamepreschool. org

childsview.net

Art based preschool curriculum based in Jewish framework.

Focus on physical skill development, selfexpression, social skills, coping strategies, and cognitive learning.

A private nonprofit school where caring and fine teaching take 5th-8th graders to new levels of confidence and competence.

A play-based, cooperative preschool designed to build confidence and a love of learning in all children; a foundation for future school success.

Child’s View is an ecofriendly, Montessori program serving children 2.5-6 years that fosters a love of nature and peaceful living.

January 5 9:30am-10:30am

January 23, 6:30pm March 20, 6:30pm May 16, 6:30pm July 18, 6:30pm

February 9, 10am-12pm Jan. 23, 9am-12pm April 6, 10am-12pm

2.5-5 years old

5-8th Grade

2-5 years old

2.5-6 years old

No

No

No

Yes

50

45

16-20

50

7:1

9:1

6:1

10:1

Yes

No

No

Yes

Jewish

None

No

No

Competitive

$16,700 annually

$125-$180 monthly

$645-$895 monthly

Yes

Yes

No

No

Cooperative

Montessori

Constructivist, child centered art base curriculum We have after school enrichment classes ranging from Art, Science, Spanish, dance & movement and music.

Creative, focused setting for students with learning differences.

Small class sizes & individualized instruction.

Yoga

NW Kids Magazine | 15

School Open House Guide Dove Christian Preschool

French American International School

German American School of Portland

address

7555 SW 45th Street Portland

8500 NW Johnson Street Portland

3900 SW Murray Boulevard, Beaverton

phone

(503) 246.5459

(503) 292.7776

(503) 626.9089

website

dovepreschool.com

faispdx.org

gspdx.org

description

Experienced teachers lead small classrooms focusing on academics, social development, play time, and the arts.

The oldest, most established, and only fully accredited preschool through grade eight program of its kind in Portland.

GSP offers a bilingual curriculum promoting flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to languages and cultures, improved listening skills, and prepares children to be world citizens.

open house

January 24

Lower School: January 18, 9-11am; Middle School: January 31, 6:30pm8:00pm

January 15, 6pm February 13, 6pm March 14, 9am April 16, 9am

grade range/ age range

3-5 years old

Age 2.5-8th Grade

Preschool-5th grade

full-day kindy

No

Yes

Yes

max enrollment

18

250

student teacher 9:1 ratio

9:1

8:1

Before/After School Care

No

Yes

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Presbyterian

No

None

$12,000-$15,000 annually

$9,085-$11,900 annually

Yes

Yes

Teaching Method

Language Immersion

German Immersion

Speciality Program

Music, Art, Multiple Our immersion program Languages, Sports/Move- is enriched by music, art ment, Summer Camps, and athletics.

PM Classes.

Tuition Range Financial Aid

16 | NW Kids Magazine

Yes

Hilltop Preschool & Kindergarten

International Leadership Academy

Living Wisdom School

Micha-el School

5700 SW Dosch Road Portland

14790 SW Boones Ferry Road, Lake Oswego

4855 SW Watson Avenue, Beaverton

13515A SE Rusk Road, Milwaukie

(503) 245.3183

(503) 490.0686

(503) 671.9112

(503) 882.3322

pcctoday.com/hilltop

ilapdx.org

livingwisdomportland. org

micha-el school.org

Christian school offering opportunities for growth, freedom, and exploration. Developmentally appropriate curriculum to meet individual needs. Offers Spanish and Chinese in the classroom.

Provides a scholarly, innovative, multilingual and multicultural education to help students maximize their lifelong potential and meet challenges with confidence.

A holistic education in a supportive, nurturing environment. Our curriculum supports the balanced growth of mind, body and spirit.

A warm and vibrant community dedicated to the physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual development of children. Music and academic lessons integrate artistic activities on a daily basis.

Tours daily beginning Jan. 1, 2013

January 17, 6-8pm February 11, March 11, April 11, May 13, June 7, 8am-12pm

January 29, 11am

January 23, 6pm-8pm March 13, 6pm-8pm

3 by Sept. 1 through Kindergarten

PK-5th Grade (2-10 years old)

PK-7th Grade

Ages 3.5-14 years old

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

100

75

41

135

10:1 Preschool 15:1 Kindergarten

10:1 PK; 12:1 K 16:1 Grades1-5

7:1

10:1 Kindergarten 20:1 Grades

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

None

Ananda

N/A

$190-$450 monthly

$7,000-$8,500 annually

$2,500-$7,400 annually $252-$780 monthly

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Academic

Constructivism

Education for Life

Waldorf

Language, Music Classes, Soccer Shots.

Music, Art, Spanish, Body in Motion, French.

Music, Art, Spanish, PE, Yoga, Community Service, Outdoor learning at rural campus.

Music, Spanish & German, movement, eurythmy, handwork and woodworking.

NW Kids Magazine | 17

School Open House Guide Oregon Episcopal School

Oregon Hope Chinese School

Park Academy

address

6300 SW Nicol Road Portland

14986 NW Cornell Road Portland

17600 Pacific Highway Portland

phone

(503) 768.3115

(971) 226.7240

(503) 697.6213

website

oes.edu

oregon-hope.org

parkacademy.org

description

OES offers an inquirybased education that prepares students for higher education and lifelong learning and to cultivate their power for good.

OHCS is an OR state and IRS recognized public nonprofit, providing Saturday Chinese classes and Mandarin Kids, an early childhood program.

Welcomes students whose learning styles, specifically dyslexia, have not been addressed in a traditional school setting.

open house

January 15 7pm-8:30pm PK - 5th Grade

January 16, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 15 at 10am

January 24

grade range/ age range

PK-12th Grade

PK-12th Grade

4-12th Grade

full-day kindy

Yes

Yes

No

max enrollment

200

52

student teacher 7:1 ratio

7:1

12:1

Before/After School Care

Yes

Yes

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Independent Episcopal

None

N/A

Tuition Range

$13,710- $25,340 annually $299-$899 monthly

$15, 500 annually

Financial Aid

Yes

No

Yes

Chinese Mandarin Immersion

Multi Sensory

Music, Art, Go, Dance.

Barton Reading, ASL, Spanish, Music, Art, Film, Drumming, Theater and Technology.

Teaching Method Speciality Program

18 | NW Kids Magazine

Specialist teachers in Music, Art, Science, PE, Technology, and Spanish.

Portland Language Arts

Scuola Italiana di Portland

Small Friends School

St. Cecilia School

10180 NW Brady Lane Portland

PO Box 6507 Portland

7475 SW Oleson Road Portland

12250 SW 5th Street Beaverton

(971) 506.8838

(971) 270.0470

(503) 388.2266

(503) 644.2619

portlandlanguagearts. com

scuola.us

smallfriendsschool.com

stceciliaschool.us

Help children to become proficient in 2+ languages, develop self-confidence, respect for others and their opinions and a passion for life-long learning.

Authentic, full immersion Italian language and culture lessons for children 18 months and older at multiple Portland metro area locations.

At Small Friends, children explore, create, observe, experiment and collaborate to construct a deeper understanding of their world.

Partnering with parents to prepare students to be responsible citizens and life-long learners with strong Catholic values.

January 19, 10am-12pm May & September, 10am February 16, 10amto 12pm 12pm March 9, 10am-12pm

PK: February 7, 7pm; Kindergarten: March 7, 7pm

January 27 10am-12:30pm

2-5 years old, 5-12 years old afternoon Chinese

18 months and older

Ages 3-6 years old

PK-8th Grade

Yes

No

12

No

Yes

PK: 18, K: 16

30 per grade

4:1

4:1, Preschool 6:1, 6+ years

Preschool: 4:1 Kindergarten 8:1

14:1

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

None

Catholic

None $395-$995 monthly

$10-$13 hourly

$150-$400 monthly

$1,560-$6,110 annually

No

No

No

Yes

Collaboration

Reggio Emilia, full immersion

Play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum

N/A

Chinese immersion, Spanish enrichment, Music Together.

Reggio Emilia immersion preschool, after-school language immersion & more.

Co-curricular offerings include PE & Health, Music, Computer, Spanish, Art Literacy, Sports & more.

NW Kids Magazine | 19

School Open House Guide St. Clare school

Sweet PEAS Kidzone

The Marylhurst School

address

1807 SW Freeman Street, Portland

15320 NW Central Drive, D-12, Portland

817 12th Street Oregon City

phone

(503) 244.7600

(503) 533.5252

(503) 650.0978

website

stclarepdx.org

sweetpeaskidzone.com

t hemarylhurstschool. com

description

St. Clare is a Catholic, parish-school community, rooted in Gospel Values, and dedicated to the spritual and educational development of the whole child.

Our goal is to create a safe foundation, where learning is fun, imagination flows, and creativity is encouraged.

Each child travels a unique path. In our community of creators, explorers and citizens, we honor each journey.

open house

January 27, 12pm-2pm

February 5, 6-8pm February 9, 12pm-2pm

January 26 9am-12pm

grade range/ age range

K-8th Grade

3-6 years old PK, Kindergarten

PK-6th Grade

full-day kindy

Yes

Yes

Yes

max enrollment

252

45

180

student teacher 12:1 ratio

7:1

8:1

Before/After School Care

Yes

Yes

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Catholic

No

N/A

$200-$900 monthly

$1,300-$6,800 annually

Yes

Yes

Whole Child Learning

Emergent, progressive

Indoor Playground, Rock Wall, Music, Art, and 2nd Language Offered, Library Visits, Field Trips and more.

Enrichment programs in art, science, music, Spanish, Soccer Shots.

Tuition Range Financial Aid

Yes

Teaching Method Speciality Program

20 | NW Kids Magazine

Music, Art, Physical Education.

NW Kids Magazine | 21

School Open House Guide The Peanut Gallery Playschool

The Portland Montessori School

Trillium Charter School

address

NE Portland

4911 NE Couch Street Portland

5420 N Interstate Avenue, Portland

phone

(503) 998.7259

(503) 688.2992

(503) 285.3833

website

thepeanutgallery playschool.com

portlandmontessori.org

t rilliumcharterschool. org

description

Unique, certified inhome PK, influenced by constructivism and Reggio Emilia, but our biggest influence is the individual children in our classroom.

The Portland Montessori School has a proud tradition of educating children for life. We are committed to helping children develop a lifelong love of learning.

Academically rigorous constructivist learning environment that engages each studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique spirit and intellect, develops creative, critical thinking skills, and cultivates compassionate, active citizens.

open house

January 27 10am-12pm

January 26 11am-4pm

Charter School Open House March 6

grade range/ age range

18 months to not yet 4

by September 2013

Early Childhood (2.5-6) through 5th Grade

Preschool and K-12th Grade

full-day kindy

No

Yes

Yes

max enrollment

16

20 per classroom

360

student teacher 16:3 mornings ratio 8:1 after care

10:1

Before/After School Care

Yes

Yes

Yes

Religious Affiliation

No

None

None

Tuition Range

see website for details

$6,090-$8,735 annually

PK tuition only

Financial Aid

No

Yes

No

Teaching Method

Reggio inspired

Montessori

Democratic/ Constructivist

Speciality Program

22 | NW Kids Magazine

Music, sports, Soccer Shots, language, movement, cooking, among others.

Trinity Lutheran School

Tualatin Valley Preschool

Tucker-Maxon School

Westside Montessori International

5520 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland

9230 SW Siletz Drive Tualatin

2860 SE Holgate Boulevard, Portland

1870 NW 188th Avenue Beaverton

(503) 288.6403

(503) 691.9866

(503) 235.6551

(503) 739.3949

trinityportland.org

tualatinvalleypreschool. org

tuckermaxon.org

wmioregon.com

Empowered by Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love, Trinity students engage in academic rigor to be life-long learners and serve others.

Tualatin Valley Preschoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s play-based philosophy has been gently guiding children to new understandings and connections since 1974.

Nationally recognized private school where deaf and hearing children are talking, learning, and achieving excellence together.

Westside Montessori believes in the value of training the children in their formative years. Offering a solid foundation towards being a person of purpose & excellence.

January 28 6-7:30pm

February 8-9 9am-1pm

February 28, 4-5:30pm April 18, 4-5:30pm

January 12, 10am February 9 , 10am

Age 3-8th Grade

3-5 years old

PK-5th Grade

2.5-6 years old

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

200

PK:14, K-5: 18

45

15:1

7:1

12:1

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Lutheran

No

No

Christian

$3,000-$6,000 annually

$100-$125 monthly

TBA

$570-$950 monthly

No

Yes

Creative Curriculum

Montessori

Language-rich environment, critical thinking, Art, Choir, P.E. and more. Aftercare options available.

Aftercare focus: Arts & Craft, Music, Poetry & Literature, P.E., Theater, Sports, Photography, Community Service.

Yes Play-based

Music, Art, Spanish, Choir, Band, Sports. P.E.

NW Kids Magazine | 23

Lights, Drama, Action!

5 Picks for

Children’s Theater

By jana wingate

Photograph by david kinder

When I was in elementary school my mom took me to see the play Peter Pan. I don’t remember much of the play itself, but the magic of that day has stayed with me. Now that I have a child of my own, we are creating those same types of memories together. I want her to experience the adventure that is live theater; to be whisked away to a different land of imagination and entertainment. Fortunately, we live in a fabulous city where you can take your family on a theatrical journey, too. Here are five different theaters that are waiting for you to explore.

Tears of Joy Puppet Theater Let Tears of Joy tell you a tale with the use of puppets. They believe in the beauty, power and vitality of puppetry as a performing art form with unique theatrical capabilities for audiences of all ages. Tears of Joy have been enriching lives through art in Portland since 1973. With education in mind, they have designed one-person shows that engaging and interactive to come to your local preschool or library. To experience one of their six productions a year, visit tojt.org

Oregon Children’s Theatre For over twenty years, OCT has been presenting productions and teaching young actors in Portland. They strive to enrich lives while helping children develop a lifetime appreciation for the arts. They do 24 | NW Kids Magazine

this through the stage, but also through teaching, helping children gain skills that will serve them on stage and throughout their lives. You can support this amazing theater company by experiencing one of their many live stage shows, which also include many young actors, visit octc.org to find out more.

Imago Theater As a world renowned touring company, Imago Theater has dared to push the boundaries of tradition. As they state it, they blur the lines of the expected to break new ground, exploding boundaries, yet maintain humor and humanity. Their critically acclaimed productions have even played on Broadway. To experience this one of a kind theater, please visit imagotheatre.com

Northwest Children’s Theater and School Bringing storybook tales to life with their own unique twist, the NW Children’s Theater has been captivating audiences for almost twenty years. Boasting one of the largest theater schools on the west coast, NWCT has a mission of educating, entertaining and enriching the lives of young audiences.

NWCT also offers year-round theater classes and camps for your budding young actor to participate in. To visit this remarkable theater, visit nwcts.org for their upcoming shows.

Ladybug Theater As the oldest surviving live theater in Portland, the Ladybug Theater is a great

way to keep your kids entertained. They have shows all year round, which include special Wednesday and Thursday morning preschool shows. Performing fairy tales with a twist, the Ladybug wants to teach theater as a positive experience, allowing improvisation and audience participation.

Ladybug also provides acting and drama classes, which are taught by the troupe’s actors. To find out more about this unique theater, visit ladybugtheater.org

Jana is the Mother of 5 year old Rowyn, and lives with her Husband and Daughter in North Portland. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a BA Degree in Journalism.

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Monthly

Calendar

Performances Jan 1, 4-6

Northwest Childrens Theater – Peter Pan

A NWCT world premiere! The story of the boy who never grows up comes to life onstage, with all of your favorite fantastical characters. $18$22, times vary. nwcts.org

Jan 27

Portland Youth Philharmonic Camerata PYP

Come listen to Portland’s young classical music talents in the Wieden+Kennedy building in the Pearl. $15-20, 4pm. portlandyouthphil.org

Events

Jan 5

Tues in Jan

Simple, yet engaging theatrical storytelling of a princess in search of a priceless treasure. $1-2, 2-3:30pm. pdxmetroarts.org

Artist Heather Stellpflug from Creative Recycling Workshops teaches kids how to make art from recycled materials. Ages 2-5, free, 11:30am-12:30pm. queensmab.com

Once Upon a Time Family Theatre The Golden Goose

Jan 6

Oregon Symphony – Inspector Crescendo

Queens Mab - Recycled Art

Tues in Jan

Green Bean Books - Storytime

Calling all detectives! A musical mystery in which the entire Orchestra are suspects in the case. $10-$36, 2pm. orsymphony.org

A weekly foray into the wonderful world of books. Free, 11-11:30am. greenbeanbookspdx.com

Jan 19-20, 26-27

Thurs in Jan

C.S. Lewis’s fantastical adventure into a snowy world, where four ordinary children become heroes. $18-30, Sat 2pm & 5pm, Sun 2pm. octc.org

Come check out the play space for free!

A good time for non-members to learn more about membership. Art materials are first come, first served. 10am-12pm. swapnplay.org

Oregon Children’s Theatre – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

St. Johns Swapnplay Playspace Open Play

JAN 26

Thurs in Jan

Cat Doorman

Don’t miss Sneakin’ Out & Cat Doorman at Mississippi Studios. Tickets $6 -$10.

Babies carried in are free. Doors open at 2pm, show at 3pm. mississippistudios.com

A Children’s Place Bookstore Storytime

A cozy little bookshop in NE hosts storytime for kids of all ages. Free, 10:3011am. achildrensplacebookstore.com

Please confirm calendar events and performances as scheduling changes may occur.

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January 2013 Jan 4

Portland Children’s Museum Free First Friday Play and learn for free! 4-8pm. portlandcm.org

Jan 5 & 12

Al’s Garden Center Kids Club Grow a Dirt Baby

A fun and inventive science experiment! Kids learn how to use soil and water to help their “dirt babies” sprout hair. Locations vary. $5, 11am. als-gardencenter.com

Jan 6

Portland Japanese Garden O-Shogatsu, the New Year’s Festival

Bring the little ones for crafts, activities, and healthy snacks! Stick around for lunch specials and let the kids run wild in the play area. 11am-12pm. hopworksbeer.com

Jan 12

Washington County Museum Family Day

Free interactive history and art activities for all ages. Take home your very own projects! Free, 10am-1pm. washingtoncountymuseum.org

JAN 12

Green Bean Books Johanna Wright

Celebrate Japanese New Year in the beautiful gardens and witness kakizome, the writing of the first calligraphy of the new year. $6.75-9.50, 12-3pm. japanesegarden.com

Join local author and illustrator extraordinaire, Johanna Wright, as she reads from her new book, Bunnies on Ice. Free, 2pm. greenbeanbookspdx.com

Jan 6

Jan 13

OMSI - $2 Days

Discover the wonders of science! $2, 9:30am5:30pm. omsi.edu

Jan 8

Belmont Library - Knitting for Beginners

Bring your own needles and yarn and learn to knit, or practice some new techniques with expert guidance. Ages 8 and up, free, 3:305:30pm. multcolib.org

Jan 10

Hopworks BikeBar - Tot Thursday

Curious Comedy Theater Curious Garden

Comedy for kids! Laugh along with your curious garden friends and remember, the show starts with an open mic for all those aspiring comics. $5 suggested donation, 10:30am. curiouscomedy.org

Jan 19

Mississippi Pizza - The Toy Trains

Rock music for kids - both covers of popular hits and original songs. Chow down and rock out! $5, kids under 12 free, 4-5pm. mississippipizza.com

Remember to check the NW Kids online calendar for dozens more outings and activities each day. Share with friends, subscribe to the RSS, add directly to your calendar, and more features. There’s something going on you don’t want to miss!! nwkidsmagazine.com/events/month NW Kids Magazine | 27

Calendar contâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d Jan 20

Flying Cat Coffee - The Alphabeticians Rock the Alphabet

How many ways can you sing the alphabet?

Come find out over yummy breakfast and coffee. You might even feel like dancing! $5 suggested donation, 10-11am. flyingcatcoffee.com

Jan 25

Portland Art Museum Free Admission

Spend a Friday evening taking in visual masterpieces. 5-8pm. portlandartmuseum.org

Jan 26

Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum - Reaching for the Stars A day exclusively dedicated to visitors with special needs, with accommodated workshops and activities, and even some Stormtroopers. $5, 10am-3pm. evergreenmuseum.org

Jan 27

Mochitsuki 2013: 17th Annual Japanese New Year Celebration

Welcome the Year of the Snake with drumming, dancing, origami, and watching the making of mochi - sticky rice cakes. Oh, and you can eat it, too! $4-12, kids 0-3 free, 11am-4pm. mochipdx.org

Jan 27

MJCC - Winter Family Funfest

Enjoy round robin activities and entertainment from NWCTS actors. Learn about Jewish preschools, playgroups and camps. 3pm-4:30pm, free and open to all. jewishportland.org/funfest

28 | NW Kids Magazine

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Notes from a Coach: Healthy Tips & Ideas for Keeping Kids Active By joel newman

Get Outside, It’s only Winter I hear a subtle rumble of concern amongst parents. As we enter the winter months, they begin to see forces aligning against one of their key interests; making sure their child gets an ample amount of physical activity. Let’s face it, the opportunity for exercise, and in turn the amount of exercise kids get, diminishes as the weather worsens. Unfortunately, we know kids energy levels and their need for a healthy fitness habit does not. The question becomes, how does one help their child embrace a habit of fitness during the months when the weather gods give us their worst?

I think we need to start deep and set the tone early. We teach our kids that we don’t let the weather decide what we are and aren’t going to do. Whether or not we brave the weather ourselves, we should always encourage our kids to play outside, as long as they are dressed appropriately. Schools have a mandate to ensure kids get physical activity and parents should tow that line during vacations and weekends.

In my experience, kids born here, having only known the wet and cold, rarely see it as a reason they shouldn’t be out playing with their friends.

For the soccer classes I run for kids ages 3-8, we play unless its below 40 and raining steadily.

In class, when it’s colder, it’s rare that the kids 30 | NW Kids Magazine

and myself aren’t peeling off layers after 5-10 minutes of running around.

The second key to maintaining your kids’ fitness level is building a structured plan. Kids may fight it, but they crave structure and by planning it out, you ensure that you don’t miss it, too. Find something healthy that you can do with them or enable them to do. I suggest a weekly activity. This could be as easy as a community center swim class, a family hike every Sunday at a neighborhood park (after pancakes?), or “Playground Thursdays” where you and the kiddo(s) visit new and favorite playgrounds. By having the fitness activity built into your calendar, your child will begin to expect and look forward to it. Having this steady activity also opens up learning discussions on the way to and from the activity, as they process their experiences. Discussing the importance of winter fitness could be a great topic.

My third recommendation comes from our staff: get creative. We teach soccer classes where up to 12 young kids might be dribbling a soccer ball within a small space, like a preschool classroom. A few cones won’t stop a 4-year-old from kicking their ball wherever, so we switch tactics and engage them with imaginative play.

We tell them that the cones define Soccer Island! and around the island are sea creatures who will swim away with their ball.

If you don’t factor in the weather too much, plan, playfully define your space, create fun rules, get a little silly and a bit permissive in letting your kid burn some energy—the kids will take care of the rest!

Joel Newman coaches and runs Soccer Shots of Portland, a fun, noncompetitive soccer program for kids ages 2-8. After 8 years working as a consultant for the Australian government, Joel realized he wanted a life out of the office and on the field, so he relocated to Portland and started Soccer Shots. Joel holds a BA in Religious Studies and an MBA from OSU. For more information, email joel@soccershots.org.

NW Kids Magazine | 31

Pound and Tap Bench from Hape

at Child’s Play, $30

Children’s Ukulele by Janod at Kids at Heart Toys, $30

found

Iron Me On 20 Sheets of Awesome Iron-On Decals at Black Wagon, $15

around Town

Faber-Castell Albrecht Dürer Water Color Pencils (set of 12) at Blick, $30

Nature Kaleidoscope Kit

at Bella Stella, $13

Musical Handbells

at Finnegan’s Toys, $35

Tako Fibers Embroidery Kit at Lark Press, $30

32 | NW Kids Magazine

Classic Etch A Sketch

at Piccolo Mondo Toys, $16

Kiddy Platter

by Smarty Parents

at smartyparents.com, $30

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resource guide:

Art & Craft

100th Monkey Studios 100thmonkeystudios.com Art a la Carte artalacartepdx.com Ceramicafe ceramiCafeNW.com Chocolate Craft Studio chocolatecraftkits.com Collage collagepdx.blogspot.com Creative Recycling Workshops and Green Crafts facebook.com/CreativeRecylingWorkshops Fine Art Starts fineartstarts.com Gossamar gossamarfiberarts.com Green Bean Books greenbeanbookspdx.com Mimosa Studios mimosa-studios.com Multnomah Arts Center multnomahartscenter.org Multnomah County Library events.multcolib.org My Masterpiece Art Studio mymasterpieceartstudio.com Piccasitos piccasitos.com Portland Child Art Studio portlandchildartstuido.com

34 | NW Kids Magazine

Portland Parks and Recreation Community Centers portlandparks.com/register Pottery Fun potteryfunpdx.com SCRAP scrappdx.org Spark Arts Center sparkartscenter.com Spielwerk Toys spielwerktoys.com The Treehouse m.misstreehouse.com Vibe of Portland vibeofportland.com

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