This Weekend... Happy Halloween!!!

Ewok v. Yoda

Halloween-related Activities:

Halloween Scary Stories at Stagecrafters Theater
8130 Germantown Avenue

Friday October 29th   7:00 pm  and Saturday, October 30th, 2:00 & 7:00 pm  

Stop in for a dramatic readings of spooky tales for both children and adults: magic show, costume contests & prizes!  Evening performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday will be geared toward older children (up to 12 years). The 2 p.m. Saturday matinee will be a shorter program, aimed at children 7 and under.  Kids under 12 are free, adults $5.

Halloween Pancake Breakfast

Saturday, October 30th

8 am to 10:30 am

Hosted by The Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill at Solaris Grill

Adults $8    Children $4

Come in costumes... The Cat in the Hat to make a special appearance!

Chestnut Hill: Kids Halloween Costume Parade  October 30th 

The Parade starts at O’Doodles Toy Store at 1pm. Treats for everyone! 

Mt. Airy Halloween Parade!  The Annual Mt. Airy Halloween Parade will be held on October 31st. Lineup begins at the corners of Carpenter & Greene Streets just before sunset.  After the parade, enjoy safe, family-friendly trick-or-treating!

And many continuing scary ideas from the last two weekend wrap-ups:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/10/this-weekend_22.html
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/10/wanna-be-scared-or-sorta.html

Non-Halloween Related:

Plymouth Meeting Friends School Used Clothing Sale 9am-1pm
Saturday 10/30 and Sunday 10/31.

Addition to the Fall Open House List: Waldorf School of Philadelphia

Somehow, we forgot to include another local school's open house dates.  The Waldorf School of Philadelphia will be hosting open houses on the following dates/times:

28^th October       8.30 am

11^th November    8.30 am

9^th December     8.30 am

http://www.phillywaldorf.com/

Last Week to apply for Voluntary Transfer in Philadelphia Public Schools

Quick reminder: The deadline to apply for Voluntary Transfer for the 2011-2012 school year is this Friday, October 29.  If you are hoping to have your child attend a school that lies outside your residential school's attendance boundaries, the VTP allows you to apply to those schools for the upcoming school year.  Options for transfer include: Neighborhood Schools outside their assigned attendance area, Citywide Admission Schools, and Special Admission Schools.  A student may apply to up to five schools for transfer.

A more complete post about this can be found here:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/09/voluntary-transfer-program-philadelphia.html

Spectrum FUNdamentals at O'Doodles... for students on and off the autism spectrum

Spectrum FUNdamentals Studio is hosting its first Open House, from 4 to 7 pm on Sunday, October 24, on the second floor of O'Doodles Toy Store at 8335 Germantown Ave..  To children on and off the autism spectrum, the Studio is offering classes designed around fun activities while offering training in social skills and making friends.  Classes include yoga, art, dramatics, Lego stop action movies, and soon will include music, constructive play and more.  There will also be Family Fun Game Nights on Fridays evenings hosted by O'Doodles.  Come to meet the class presenters at the Open House and enjoy a variety of games and activities.  Light refreshments will be served.
www.odoodles.com
215-247-7405

This Weekend...

Taste Fair
Weavers Way Chestnut Hill
Saturday, Oct. 23, noon to 4 p.m.
Weavers Way Chestnut Hill, 8424 Germantown Avenue.

What a great theme for a fair!  This tribute to co-op month will feature live music and fun activities like face painting and pumpkin decorating, but the focus will be food, with over a dozen vendors sampling all sorts of local treats and natural food from national brands as well.

The Witch's Boot
Test your internal GPS skills at the hay maze on the lawn of the Woodmere Art Museum.  The maze is challenging, but one you can see over to give some of us grownups a slight edge.


October 15 – early November
Fridays 5 - 8pm; Saturdays 10am - 8pm; Sundays 1 - 5pm
Fee: $8 per child


Explore the witch's boot maze and enjoy these activities:
Flashlight tours 
Witch’s seek and find
Cider 
Ghost stories
Art-making
Food and much more!
http://www.woodmereartmuseum.org/



Also, many of the spooky ideas posted last weekend are still running this weekend, so check out that post for more ideas:
http://www.germantownavenueparents.com/2010/10/wanna-be-scared-or-sorta.html

Local Resources: NIM's Early Learning Resource Room

This post is the first in a series about local resources serving families with children in the GAP area.  (If you have a resource you'd like to see highlighted, please contact us).  

Northwest Interfaith Movement hosts a wide range of services for families and children, but the Early Learning Resource Room recently relocated in Mt. Airy is a treasure for families looking to keep things fresh and interesting.

You can think of the Resource Room as library of TOYS!  You can select themed "kits" on everything from dinosaurs to rock collecting to monkeys jumping on the bed.  Kits can be taken out for up to 4 weeks at a time, and you borrow multiple kits at once.   In addition to the themed kits, there are age-appropriate bins for infants through kindergartners, as well as gross-motor materials like rainbow parachutes.  The resource room also has tons of wonderful children's books, big books, and videos.  There are also informational parenting books and great big idea books.  They also have a lamination, die-cut, book binding, & art waxing machines... wonderful for creating durable projects and decorations!

Annual membership is $25.00 per individual/family.

Location: 7051 Germantown Ave, 19119

Hours:
      Monday: 10 -5 pm
      Wednesday: 10 - 6 pm
      Friday: 10 - 5 pm
* Closed 12-1 pm

Wanna Be Scared? Or Sorta?

Seeing as it's the time of year for scares and shivers, here's a shortlist of ideas for being scared out of your mind, scared a good bit, scared in good fun, or just kinda amused by spooky decorations...

Scared out of your MIND!  The best venue for this category is none other than the Terror Behind the Walls at the Eastern State Penitentiary.  This is NOT for the faint of heart!  My 10 year old went to "family night" last year and barely made it through... but of course, is dying to go back this year... not on family night!  On family nights, kids can bark the command, "Monster, be good!", and they'll obey... but ONLY on family nights (for kids ages 7-12).  Family nights include every Sunday night through Halloween and Tuesday October 19th as well... price during family night is $10/person.
http://halloween.easternstate.org/halloween/visit/schedule-prices/family

Scared a good bit!  Try the Laurel Hill Cemetery Halloween Flashlight Tours on Friday October 29th and Saturday October 30. These hour-long tours start every half hour from 7pm to 9:30pm.  Not recommended for children under 12.  Flashlight tours snake through the cemetery with tales of history and mystery.  Featuring the "Not Ready for the Afterlife Actors".  After your tour, if you still have an appetite, you can feast on an assortment of delicious cookies, hot apple cider, and other spooky treats.
http://www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org/index.php?m=4&id=16

Scared in Good Fun!  Try out the Ghost Tours in Chestnut Hill.  Friday and Saturday evenings through November 6.  These tours are 90 minutes long and begin at 8pm.  The tour begins at the Chestnut Hill Hotel and goes along the Avenue, with "scary stories, tall tales, and paranormal happenings".  Peggy and Bruce Schmidt are your Spooky tour guides, assisted by their ever-faithful paranormal specialist dog Pixie!  Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children.
http://www.chestnuthillpa.com/events/hauntings-and-happenings-on-the-hill/

Kinda Amused by Scary Decorations... Many local children's venues offer fun, but not too spooky Halloween parties... most are "members-only events", so if you were thinking of joining any of these, now might be a good time.  

Please Touch Museum Monster Mash!  Children (and grown-ups, too!) are encouraged to dress in costume for an evening of trick-or-treating, themed art activities, a Halloween-inspired magic show by Tom McDonnell in the Playhouse Theater, a Monster Mash dance party that is sure to excite but not fright, and light refreshments provided by Max and Me Catering.  Friday October 22 & Friday Oct, 29.
http://www.pleasetouchmuseum.org/monster_mash/index.php


Adventure Aquarium's Annual "Creep in the Deep".  Wednesday, October 20th & Thursday October 21st.  6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
This event is FREE* for Annual Pass Holders
~ Enjoy indoor Trick or Treating!!!
~ Design your very own trick-or-treat bag, courtesy of A.C. Moore and
~ Each Family can decorate their own pumpkin in our Pumpkin Patch, provided by   Johnson's Corner Farm
~ Event parking is FREE!


But if you'd like to keep it super friendly and have fun while it's still light out, try the Boo at the Zoo, Saturday and Sunday, October 16 and 17,  and Saturday and Sunday October 23 and 24, 10:00AM - 4:00PM.  The Boo! is a masquerade party for the whole family. Trick-or-treat your way around the zoo with plenty of treats and sweets while participating in games and crafts, listening to music and stories, and meeting cool characters along the way.   Free for members, or included with zoo admission.  

Meet Local Moms/Authors of Domestic Drama

On Monday evening, October 18th, the Treehouse Cafe welcomes local authors Lori Tharps (Substitute Me) and Chandra Hoffman (Chosen). Bring your little ones to play while the authors discuss integrating writing with motherhood.  Event begins at 5:00pm.


Substitute Me Is Lori Tharps' first novel about a young White couple who hires a young Black woman to be their son's nanny and how their lives are all changed by the arrangement.  Chandra Hoffman is another local writer who has recently authored Chosen, a novel best described as a "domestic adoption thriller".

The authors will be discussing writing, motherhood and, of course,  domestic drama. More specifically, they'll be talking about using our own personal experiences to fuel their writing, as well as how they incorporate their "writing life" with their mommy lives.


You can learn more about these talented women on their websites:
www.loritharps.com and www.chandrahoffman.com.

Mandarin Language Classes in Germantown starting later this month...

Starting this fall, the Main Line Chinese Culture Center (MLCCC) will offer a weekend enrichment program in Chinese as a Second Language for students in grades K-6. This program is intended to provide an enjoyable way for students to learn basic Mandarin and to gain insights into Chinese culture. 

Classes will be held at Germantown Friends School (GFS also helped to plan the program, but classes are open to the community) on Saturdays from 9-10 a.m.  


Program dates are as follows: 
October 23, 30
November 6, 13, 20
December 4, 11. 


The cost of this program is $175.   
http://www.mlccc.org.  

Link to registration forms:
http://www.germantownfriends.org/Customized/uploads/MLCCC%20Registration%20Non%20GFS%20Students.pdf

This Weekend...

Hooray for another busy fall weekend with LOTS to do in and around the GAP area...

Friday & Sat. Nights:
Ghost Tours in Chestnut Hill
Starts at 8pm $10 adults, $7 children
Meet at Chestnut Hill Hotel


Saturday:
Fall Sidewalk Sale at Regina Coeli 10am-4pm
http://www.reginacoeliacademy.com/fallsale


Northwest Farm Fest, 11am to 3pm
Sponsored by Weavers Way Co-op
Mort Brooks Memorial Farm in Awbury Arboretum
1101 E. Washington Lane
http://www.weaversway.coop/

Sunday:
Chestnut Hill Fall for the Arts Festival! 11am-5pm
Germantown Ave
Between Willow Grove and Rex Avenues
Be sure to stop by Hiram Lodge for free Child Identification Program (CHIP).

President Obama Rally (with The Roots)

Robert Fulton Elementary School
(in the park next to the school)
60 E. Haines Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Doors Open at 3:00 p.m.
Program Begins at 4:00 p.m.

Arboreta!

Here is our first post from second grader, Mrs. Harry Potter (with artwork from younger brother, Luke Skywalker).  MHP's advice on visiting the Morris Arboretum: 

"This is me on the big net at the arboretum."
Luke Skywalker, age 4

In Chestnut Hill there are many fun places to go to and look at and play but there is a big one called The Morris Arboretum. The Arboretum has many places for adults but what about the kids? The Out On A Limb exhibit is really high and you can see groundhogs if you look over, but don’t throw things down because there are people underneath. This exhibit has a Robins nest from a birds eye view it also has a huge net. There is a small one and a big one.  The small one is for kids under 5 years old and the big one is for people over 6 years old. 

Next comes the Springhouse its like an outdoor kitchen. Its nice and cool and you can sit down on the rocking chair or you can sit down on one of the regular chairs. There is another little house you can peek your head in it is very cold in there well not that cold just a little cold. After the Springhouse comes the Japanese Hill Garden there is a little pond and a bridge there. There also is a little sculpture. After that comes the Log Cabin.  There are old fashion Lincoln logs and a table to build them on inside.  

Before you go in the Log Cabin there is a Chestnut tree right next to it so you can make a bug boat.  Well here’s the thing you don’t how to make a bug boat so I will show you all the steps:

1. First you find a chestnut shell. Look under the big chestnut tree and you will find a chestnut shell on the ground after it falls and the chestnut pops out.
2. Take the chestnut shell you found on the ground and put it in the water when you see the stream right nearby.
3. And then there you have a bug boat and your bug boat will go to a bug boat stop and pick up some bugs.

If you're wanting to branch out (pun intended), another wonderful arboretum is the Tyler Arboretum in Media, PA.  The exhibits of incredibly fun to climb and explore treehouses are WELL worth the drive.... now through October 31.  We went last year and were thrilled to see them back!  http://www.tylerarboretum.org/natures-enchantment.asp

What lies beneath?

But if you're not up for a drive and want to inspire your own budding writer, try your hand (or your child's hand) at the Tyler Arboretum Writing Project.  Entries for "What Lies Beneath?" are all published on the project's website, and there are separate categories for children ages 4-9, 10-13, 14-17 and 18 & up.  Writers are encouraged to visit the arboretum in person to see the mysterious doorway, but attendance is not mandatory to participate in this innovative community writing project!
http://tylerarboretumwritingproject.com/about/

'Tis the Season for Fall School Open Houses!

Fall Open Houses 

John S. Jenks Elementary School

Kindergarten Tea for Prospective Parents

Thursday October 7, 2010 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Location: 135 West Gravers Lane in Chestnut Hill

City State Zip: Philadelphia, 19118

Email: haviva.goldman@gmail.com 

Open House

November 9th, 2010, 6:00 - 7:30PM

Location: J.S. Jenks School, Please enter on Southampton, off Germantown Ave.

www.jsjenks.org

Green Woods Charter 

Saturday, November 13th, 10am-1pm

K-2 Open House

www.greenwoodscharter.org

Germantown Friends School

Thursday, November 11, 2010: 8:30 - 11 a.m. 

http://www.germantownfriends.org/

Miquon 

Thursday October 21 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm 

Thursday, November 4th, 2010 

Information Evening for Prospective Parents 7:00-8:30pm 

Thursday, November 18th, 2010 9:00-11:00am 

Thursday, December 9th, 2010 9:00-11:00am 

www.miquon.org

Germantown Academy 

Wednesday October 20th 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm 

www.germantownacademy.net

William Penn Charter 

October 16th 2:00 pm 

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. 

www.penncharter.com

Wissahickon Charter School

Fri. Oct. 15, 10AM-11AM at Wissahickon Charter School

Tues. Nov. 9, 6:30-7:30 PM also at Wissahickon Charter School

http://www.wissahickoncharter.org/V2/Home.html 

Greene Street Friends 

 October 16th 1:00pm to 3:00 pm 

Thursday, November 4, 8:45 to 10:30 am 

Thursday, December 2, 8:45 to 10:30 am 

www.greenestreetfriends.org

Abington Friends School 

October 16th 10:00 am 

Tuesday, November 16 - 8:30 to 10:45 

Tuesday, December 14 - 8:30 to 10:45 

www.abingtonfriends.net

Project Learn 

October 13 6:30 to 8 pm 

Sat., November 13th 10-11:30 am 

http://www.projectlearnschool.org/ 

Chestnut Hill Academy and Springside Academy 

Thursday, October 21, 2010 7:00 pm, All Grades 

Sunday, November 7, 2010 2:00 pm, All Grades 

https://www.chestnuthillacademy.org/

http://www.springside.org/home/home.asp

Plymouth Meeting Friends 

October 6th 9:00 to 11:30 

Sat November 6, 2010 2pm - 4pm 

http://www.pmfs1780.org/

Norwood Fontbonne Academy 

October 5th 9:00 to 11:00 

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 9:00 to 11:00 AM 

Sunday, October 17, 2010 11:00 AM Liturgy/Open House 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 9:00 to 11:00 AM 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 9:00 to 11:00 AM 

http://www.norwoodfontbonneacademy.org/index.php

Our Mother of Consolation

Friday October 22nd  10am-noon
Tuesday November 16th  10am-noon
Friday December 17th  10am-noon
www.omcparish.com

Crefeld School

October 8th, 2010
November 5th, 2010
December 3rd, 2010
Time: 8:45 am to 10:15 am
www.crefeld.org

Regina Coeli Academy

Monday, October 11

Monday, Jan 17

Monday, Feb 21

8:30-10:30 am

to rsvp: 215 836 2208

www.reginacoeliacademy.com

School Additions and Reader Question...

This post will be short and sweet.  Thanks to some reader feedback, we've added several new schools to the open house list: Jenks, Greenwoods Charter, Crefeld, and Our Mother of Consolation.  If you know of more schools to add, please send them our way... the more the merrier!

Also, there was a question from a reader about when to begin the search for schools, at what age, etc.  Please click the comment button to provide insight as to what worked for your family.

Thanks!