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September 2018 • free Pennsylvania

A Smart Start Calm Back-to-School Jitters College Prep: Early Action or Early Decision?

Independent High School Survey

IEP Check Up

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Contents

SEPTEMBER 2018 • Vol. 29, No. 9

Back-to-School 10 Calm Back-to-School Jitters 14 IEP Check-Up 16 Guide to Early Admissions 19 Survey of Independent High Schools

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In This Issue 4 Meet Our CoverKid 6 Book Reviews 8 Why You Get Your Kids’ Names Wrong 12 Protect Children’s Online Privacy 29 Win it!

34 MomSpeak: Plastics and Food

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Family Fun 24 Family-Theater Season Preview 26 Day-by-Day Calendar

5 Events; 13 Education; 21 Child Care 33 Bulletin Board

34

On Our Cover

CoverKids winner Alexis W. of Philadelphia, PA.

Photos by Bev Michel Photography — West Chester, PA; Michelphoto.com

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Meet Our CoverKid This month’s CoverKid is Alexis W., who is a sophomore at Central High School in Philadelphia.

You might have noticed the SAT prep book she has with her on the cover. It could be handy as she prepares to fulfill her dream to become a heart surgeon.

“Since high school, I have been thinking more about what I would like to study in college,” says Alexis. “I have become very interested in how the body works and functions and now biology is my favorite subject.

“I will be taking anatomy this year as well. Because I want to be a surgeon, these subjects have become more interesting and I am eager to study them.”

She hopes to attend Howard University in Washington DC and then study medicine on the way to a career as a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Clearly Alexis is confident and has a plan for her future, so we asked her to offer some advice to kids who are entering high school for the first time this year.

“Stay on top of your work and don’t worry about what others think of you,” she advises. “Always go above and beyond with everything you do and expand your horizon by doing new things, like joining different clubs and doing new activities.”

For Alexis, those activities include track and field, dance, community service, visits to museums, and hanging out with friends.

We asked Alexis what she would tell her 13-yearold self, now that she is halfway through her highschool years and on her way to adulthood.

“Stay focused in school to get good grades because time is going to fly by,” she says. “Every year counts toward reaching your goal of getting an academic and/or athletic scholarship to attend the college of your choice.”

Best of luck, Alexis, and we hope someday to call you Dr. Alexis.

Who would you like to see on the cover of MetroKids?

You can go to MetroKids.com/CoverKids this month and vote for your favorites in each age category, from babies to teens.

There are dozens of cuties to choose from, so check back to see if any of your favorites won and how their covers turned out.

4 MetroKids.com

Reader’s Choice

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: Shikha Patel, Ben Lowenthal

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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.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

Books

Boys, Bridges and Siblings

By Frank Lipsius

Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different

By Ben Brooks Illustrated by Quinton Wintor Running Press $16.99, Ages 8–12 The 76 people profiled in this engaging and inspiring compilation of one-page biographies range over history, from Confucius to actor Jesse Eisenberg, and include, just in the Gs, Gandhi, Bill Gates and King George VI. With the biographies given alphabetically accompanied by a facing-page, comic-book-cover-style, color line drawing, the book emphasizes the person’s own uniqueness, often obsessiveness, more than the environment that shaped him, a perspective that adds to the confidence-building conveyed by the title.

These people were not necessarily famous, just accomplished, usually from having an idea they grew to fruition. Daniel Anthony would have been forgotten to history were it not for his daughter Susan. He made sure she learned long division in school at a time when women were not encouraged academically, a service to which Susan attributes her own obsessive pursuit of women’s suffrage. Roald Amundsen became famous as the polar explorer who switched to the South Pole when Robert Peary supposedly reached the North Pole. Since Peary did not actually get to the North Pole, Amundsen, pursuing his original dream, got to claim both. The eras and people in the book are refreshingly diverse and show the satisfaction of accomplishment, if only, for King George VI, of overcoming his stutter, which had made him fear public appearances until a teacher played loud noise in his ears while he spoke. The idea was to stop his self-consciousness at public speaking, a technique that worked and helped the king take the lead as an example and comfort to the British people through the trauma of World War II.

Frenemies in the Family

By Kathleen Krull Illustrated by Maple Lam Crown $17.99, Ages 8–12 No siblings face the challenges that struck Mary, a Catholic, and Elizabeth, a Protestant, daughters of King Henry VIII, and themselves sibling rivals to the throne of England. Even their challenges pale in comparison to Chang and Eng Bunker, the original Siamese twins born in 1811 and bound together by what author Kathleen Krull calls a “band” across their stomachs that made them almost but not quite separate. They became world famous from being discovered by an English opportunist who got them a circus gig, traveling throughout Europe, except France, where the government feared they would cause miscarriages among pregnant women. They lived remarkably harmonious lives, married different women, had large families and all the

6 MetroKids.com

time tethered to each other, even having to roll over each other to change sleeping positions. The author’s eye for telling detail, like the twins’ sleeping habits and their plaster busts, housed today in the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia, enlivens her story.

Other stories focus on the football-quarterback Manning brothers, tennis superstars Serena and Venus Williams, late-night show host Stephen Colbert (the youngest of 12 siblings all competing to be funny), British heirs-to-the-throne William and Harry (updated as far as Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle), and reality-TV sextuplets’ older sisters Mady and Cara Gosselin.

The wide variety gives the author the chance to explore all kinds of subjects, including Freud’s own position as oldest of eight siblings who “did his best to pretend to be an only child” and considered sibling rivalry “a very real, potentially deadly thing.” While going for the laughs and good humored part of growing up and enjoying activities together, the author also explores the pitfalls and challenges of having a sibling, a good lesson for all families, including only children, who might be relieved to know what they are missing.

The Bridge: How the Roeblings Connected Brooklyn to New York

By Peter J. Tomasi Illustrated by Sara Duvall Abrams $24.99, Ages 8–12 The ambitious bridge builders, the Roeblings, father John, son Washington and Washington’s wife Emily, earned their place in history building the Brooklyn Bridge. As told here by Peter Tomasi, it is a family saga of talent and relentless effort in spite of years of debilitating obstacles. It also covers a large swath of the 19th century, from young Washington’s reluctant entry into an engineering program at Rensselaer Polytechnic through Civil War service designing bridges and serving as aide-de-camp to General Gouverneur Warren, who introduced him to his sister Emily. He married Emily and rejoined his family wire-cable business in Trenton, NJ, where a bridge carries the sign, “Trenton Makes, the World Takes,” because of the internationally famous Roebling Wire Cable business. The wire cables made there were crucial to building the Brooklyn Bridge, as was Washington’s design and building of the two caissons to hold up the bridge towers.

Meticulously told in this graphic form, the story benefits from Sara Duvall’s precise drawings of the bridge construction and the social scenes that highlight Emily’s ability to fulfill her husband’s role after he was confined to his bed when he contracted the bends while putting out a fire in one of the caissons and had to work from home during the rest of the bridge construction.

Frank Lipsius is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

For more kids’ book reviews, go to MetroKids.com/books.

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Mom Matters

There’s a Scientific Reason You Mix Up Your Kids’ Names

By LJ Kunkel We’ve all done it: In a moment of multitasking, like putting away groceries, wrangling a toddler, and trying to plan dinner — or just a brainless moment when you’re not really doing anything — you try to yell out a specific child’s name and another name comes out, and another, circling back around in a confused muddle of words until you maybe arrive at the right one.

And the dog too

If you’re like me, the dog makes an appearance in the list as well.

This name mix-up habit is quite common, as parents everywhere can attest.

If you had siblings growing up, you can probably recall your mother doing the same thing on a regular basis. Sheez,

Mom, you named me, why can’t you get it right?

Of course, you now understand how hard this very simple thing actually is.

What the heck is wrong with us? Could it be a case of permanent mom brain? Maybe a little, since it seems our brains turn to mush sometime during pregnancy and never quite go back to normal again.

Don’t worry — you’re not going crazy.

The more likely reason is that you’re simply full of love for them! Science says so.

A scientific review published in Memory & Cognition examined five studies involving more than 1,700 participants to get to the bottom of this name-calling nemesis.

Researchers found that this misnaming phenomenon occurred when referring to family members and friends, but mostly happened with mothers calling their children the wrong names (no surprise there).

There is some evidence suggesting a mixup when the names sound alike (Jade, Kade, Wade). But more often they found an association with their close relationship to each other.

“Overall, the misnaming of familiar individuals is driven by the relationship between the misnamer, misnamed, and named,” the study reports. Basically, the closer emotionally you are to someone, the more likely you’ll “forget” her name.

So why does this happen?

It’s not because we have a lousy memory. It’s because of the way our brains store information.

The brain organizes information in a

8 MetroKids.com

Puppy Love The fact that we often include the dog in the rambling cycle of names goes to show that this creature is certainly an important part of the family. “Our study does seem to add to evidence about the special relationship between people and dogs,” says Samantha Deffler, lead author of the study.

So you can stop asking what’s wrong with me and rest assured it has more to do with your love for your family and pets than with your declining mental state. semantic network in which similar things are grouped together. It’s kind of like we have file folders for different categories of people, places, things and experiences.

The people you love most (i.e. family members) are all in one folder, so sometimes saying the right name, even if that person is right in front of you, is difficult.

You have to shuffle through the items in the folder until you grab the right one.

So your lack of ability in such an easy task doesn’t mean you’re going insane or getting early dementia. (Phew!) It just means you love them enough to put them in a special category in your heart — and brain.

LJ Kunkel is a Pennsylvania-based freelance writer.

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Health

Symptoms of Anxiety While some nervousness is normal, kids may suffer from extreme anxiety that negatively affects day-to-day life. If your child is experiencing these symptoms it may be time to seek help: • “Acts out” with tantrums, disobedience or a refusal to do typical activities.

• Misses out on normal, everyday events at school or with friends due to nerves.

• Is restless, irritable and has difficulty concentrating or trouble sleeping.

• Suffers from muscle tension, frequent urination, stomach aches, difficulty swallowing and headaches.

By Sarah Lyons Your child may feel “butterflies in his tummy” for the first day of school. It is a normal sensation that first morning of classes or whenever she is expected to perform or speak in front of a group; has a dentist or doctor appointment, or has pressure to do well on a test or at a sports competition. Parents can help kids calm the butterflies.

Model calming behavior

As a parent, watching your child battle nerves can be difficult and cause the parent to feel anxious and worried too. The child may grow more panicked because of this. Model calming behavior to your child. Speak in a calm voice, try not to rush him, and keep your chitchat positive and encouraging.

Prepare and discuss

Prior to the big day, discuss with your child what she can expect. “We spend time talking about the event a few days before. I allow them to ask questions and understand what to expect throughout the process,” says Lauren Heller, mother of twins. This is a great opportunity to discuss with your child what his wor-

ries are specifically and help him work through them in a healthy way.

Try relaxation techniques

If you find your child is often nervous, sit down ahead of time and discuss some relaxation techniques that will be helpful in calming butterflies when they arise. “I taught my daughter to take slow deep breaths and to pretend she was somewhere else,” says Krystal Laws, mother of seven. Some other relaxation techniques include stretching, reading a book, sipping a favorite drink, listening to music, or talking to a friend. Many kids find physical activity relaxing. Encourage your child to take a short walk or jog, do jumping jacks, shoot hoops or play on the swings. This will help your child release some nervous energy. Once she has found a relaxation technique that works, she will have a tool in her back pocket when nerves arise.

with everything going smoothly. During the visualization process, address any obstacles your child may foresee. “Before an ice-skating performance we consider what would happen if she fell — just get back up, no big deal,” says Jane Hammond, mom of three. Problem solve with your child how you can overcome the challenges she may be worrying about.

For younger kids, acting out the situation that is making them nervous can be very helpful. “Our boys used to have a really hard time with doctor appointments. We bought a doctor set and ‘played doctor’ while talking about what to expect. They love going now,” says Becky Asher, mom to triplet boys.

As the big day approaches, set your child up for success with a good night’s rest and a healthy diet. This will help her feel she is at her best when the butterflies arrive. Explain to your child that even adults get nervous about situations and this is normal. Children tend to feel more secure in new situations when they know they have your support and understanding along the way.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer.

Visualize and problem solve

If your child is nervous about an upcoming recital, performance or game, have him sit still, close his eyes, and visualize each step of the upcoming event and how it will go. Picture a positive outcome

“Many kids find physical activity relaxing. Encourage your child to take a short walk or jog ... to release some nervous energy.”

10 MetroKids.com

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Parenting

By Susan Braverman Kids are constantly connected to technology, giving them access to limitless knowledge, communication and entertainment, but with that comes a safety concern. When kids have the world at their fingertips, how do we keep them safe?

Communication

From the time kids start using the internet, it’s important to establish proper communication and rules.

Keep a “family computer” in a central area and let children have the privilege of having a personal computer when they’ve earned it.

Consider using computer time as a reward for doing homework, or chores around the house.

Ruby Gonzalez, the communications director at NordVPN, an online privacy tool, suggests: “Parents should clearly establish how many hours their children are allowed on the computer per day. Moreover, computer usage at night shouldn’t be permitted; it interferes with sleep quality and affects the physical development of a child, especially at an early age.”

Discourage your children from accepting friend requests from people they don’t know. Stress that electronic communication is always risky and that you can never be sure who’s on the other side of the screen.

Keep tabs on who your kids interact with online and encourage them to talk with you about their online friends. If they are voice or video chatting, introduce yourself to the other person. “It’s every parent’s responsibility to know who their kids’ online friends are,” says Eirene Heidelberger, president and CEO of GIT Mom, a parent coaching company.

12 MetroKids.com

Social media

When it comes to social media, Gonzalez notes, “Educate yourself about the various social websites and apps: what they do, what kind of information users share, and what makes them interesting to children.” (See Privacy Resources, at right, for suggested websites.)

The most popular platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Ask your kids what platforms they use and learn about them. Learn how these sites use your child’s information to advertise to them.

Within Facebook, you can turn off targeted ads in the settings tab under ads. You can also manage privacy settings so your children can’t easily be contacted by strangers.

“Keep your child’s account private so only friends can see it, don’t allow your child to be tagged in posts and advise him to not share his location,” says Kevin Ellis, marketing director at eBlocker, a privacy and parental-control tool.

You can set these limits under each platform’s privacy section. Facebook also has a blocking option where you can block individual users or posts, messages, apps, event invitations and pages from specific people and organizations.

Gonzalez also says to discuss with your child what she should not share on social media. Emphasize what goes on the internet can be shared so quickly that it stays there forever, so precisely define what kind of personal information is and isn’t OK to share, such as full name, address or school.

Cyberbullying

Encourage your child to come to you immediately if something posted online makes her uncomfortable.

Privacy Resources Admongo.gov This Federal Trade Commission website teaches kids 8–12 about ads.

Commonsensemedia.org A non-profit site for parents that rates and reviews media and technology. See the Privacy and Internet Safety section under Parent Concerns.

“Have your children know what’s safe and insist on reporting any bullying as soon as it occurs,” Ellis says. Don’t get angry; show her how to handle the situation, then go through the appropriate channels, such as your school, to report the cyberbullying.

Unsafe content

From viruses to misinformation to strangers, there are threats galore online. Keeping your children away from them requires a watchful eye and an open dialogue.

“The best thing parents could do for their children in order to protect them from possible harm is to start a discussion about online safety at an early age,” Gonzalez says.

The sooner you get involved as a parent, the easier it is to make sure good habits are established. Without guidance, kids can quickly find themselves in unsafe communities.

Overall, it’s important to strike a balance of respecting your child’s privacy while keeping her safe. Maintain open communication, and make sure to be involved. “Stay in their face but give them their space,” says Heidelberger.

Susan Braverman is marketing manager and social media coordinator for MetroKids.

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SpecialKids

Is Your IEP Back-to-School Ready?

8

By Lisa Lightner Back-to-school time always has a nervous energy to it. Will my kid’s BFF be in my daughter’s class? Will my son like his teacher?

Did my daughter get a good teacher? Will my son adjust and do well in this grade, or will it be too hard for him?

When your child has an IEP there is another level of concern.

For a child who struggles with change and transitions, this can be a particularly tough time. Here are eight tips for parents who have a child with an IEP.

1. Make the most of what the school is offering.

Whether it’s a meet & greet, end-of-summer picnic or back-toschool night, don’t blow it off. Go and, if appropriate, take your child. Meet the teachers and introduce your child. Take the building tours even if you’ve been in the building before. Walk your child through his day and show him where he will be.

2. Use a Snapshot IEP.

I have a post on my blog that discusses this concept at length and a template to follow. But a snapshot IEP is a one-sheet, high-level overview of your child and her IEP. It is by no means a replacement for the full document, but it is a way to introduce your child’s IEP to the teacher. It is a brief overview of strengths, needs, goals and accommodations and strategies.

3. Read the whole IEP again.

Yes, beginning to end. Grab a cup of coffee, a pen, a notepad and head out to your patio. Make notes of what you think needs to be changed, goals of importance, strategies and services. Note on your calendar when you should be receiving your progressmonitoring reports, report cards, IEP-renewal time and other information.

4. Make a plan.

If you have concerns that you want addressed sooner rather than later, do it. Write the letter, request the meeting. Then you can put that note aside and schedule a reminder to send it on September 15 or 30. I say this because everyone is overwhelmed and busy during back-to-school time. You don’t want meetings with school personnel who do not know your child yet. Give them a couple weeks to get into a groove, then ask. The IEP process timelines are slow enough on their own, so you don’t want to delay too much. But you can still do all the prep work now.

14 MetroKids.com

Tips for Parents

Don’t IEP Alone

The IEP process can be cumbersome and overwhelming, but you don’t have to go it alone. There are many resources available to parents.

Every state has a Parent Training Center for IEPs, as well as a Protection and Advocacy Agency for people with disabilities.

In Pennsylvania contact: • The Peal Center: PealCenter.org • For Spanish-speaking families: HuneInc.org • Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network: Pattan.net

5. Go with your gut.

Too often, parents are talked out of going with their gut instinct. But moms know! Evaluate situations objectively and go with your gut. If something isn’t right, work on fixing it. As an example, using the Pennsylvania guidelines, the IEP evaluation process could take more than 100 school days to complete, from requesting the evaluation to having an IEP. If your gut tells you that changes need to be made, start the process. Don’t agree to “wait and see” as that can only delay the process and allow your child to fall further behind.

6. Ask your child.

Talk with and involve your child to the maximum extent possible. The earlier you start growing those self-advocacy skills, the better. Ask her what her concerns and apprehensions are. Help him to troubleshoot and find solutions to his concerns. Discuss what her strengths and interests are, and how those strengths can be used.

7. Stay positive.

The IEP process can have a lot of negativity surrounding it. Learn the IEP process and use it to handle concerns and disputes. Focus on what you can control and never assume the intentions of others.

8. Seek help and support.

You don’t have to do this alone. There are many resources available.

Lisa Lightner is a West Chester, PA special-education advocate who blogs at A Day in Our Shoes and is a contributor to MetroKids.com’s MomSpeak.

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Education

Early Admission What’s the difference between early action and early decision and which is right for your college-bound senior?

By Michele Haddon It’s the fall of your daughter’s senior year.

Together you’ve researched schools, attended campus tours, and worked to narrow down a long list of colleges to a handful of top choices.

She is ready to crank out those applications, but you wonder: Should she apply early admission?

According to College Board, about 450 colleges offer the admission plans. The most common options are known as early decision and early action. You need to understand the differences between the two before you can decide if one of them is right for your child.

What is early decision?

Early decision is binding, requiring a commitment to attend the school if you are admitted. For this reason, you may only apply to one school early decision.

The deadline typically falls on or around Nov. 1.

According to Maureen B. Mathis, director of admission at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, which offers both early decision and early action, early decision is for “students who know the school is their clear first choice and that comparing financial aid offers is not a part of their college search.

“The benefit to early decision is that your college search can be completed by either late December or early January,” Mathis says. “You can then relax and enjoy the remainder of your senior year.”

Applying through early decision or early action increases the chance of admis-

16 MetroKids.com

sion, Mathis adds. “Since early decision is a commitment to attend, an admissions committee is more willing to admit if the student is committed.”

Lisa Street, counselor at Brandywine High School in Wilmington, DE, agrees that applying early increases a candidate’s chances “as long as they are a good fit for that school. That round of kids is only competing against other early-decision kids, so it’s a tough group, but a smaller one.”

However, there are potential downsides to applying early, Street notes.

“The student is committing to attend regardless of the financial aid offered by the school and some families may not be as equipped to subsidize the net cost left uncovered by the federal and school financial-aid packages,” Street says.

She also cautions that students who feel pressured to meet early deadlines when they are not completely ready “could suffer from a poorly written essay, proofreading errors, and other avoidable application mistakes which could cost them admission.”

Joseph Tagliaferro, coordinator of student support services at Abington Senior High School in Abington, PA, advises students and their parents to work closely with their school counselors when deciding how to apply.

“If a student really has a strong interest in a college and he knows this is his top choice, and if paying for college is something the family has a plan for, then early decision is a good option,” Tagliaferro advises.

A Decision Tree Our experts had these suggestions: You should apply early decision if: • The school is clearly your top choice.

• You can afford to attend without financial aid.

You should apply early action if: • You are seriously considering more than one school.

• Your grade-point average already meets the school’s requirements.

• You don’t plan to take the SAT or ACT again.

You should apply regular decision if: • You want your senior-year grades reflected in your GPA. • You want to retake the SAT or ACT. • You need more time to research and visit schools.

What is early action?

Early action is non-binding and most colleges will allow you to apply to multiple schools this way. Deadlines to submit applications under early action also fall on or around Nov. 1.

Jim Plunkett, executive director of admissions at La Salle University in Philadelphia, which offers early action, says it is for the most serious student — someone who has done his research on the schools, is very interested in that school and wants to get his applications finished.

“It gives that peace of mind of knowing that before the New Year they are going to hear from the school early action,” says Plunkett. “They’re not committed to going to that school.” continued on p. 18

SEPTEMBER 2018

Family Open House

& Children’s Book Fair Sat., November 3 10am-12noon

Learn. Play. Grow. theschoolinrosevalley.org

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GREENE STREET FRIENDS SCHOOL

Bilingual program from Preschool to Grade 8 Diverse school community and global focus Before and after school care and extracurricular activities US and French accreditations New students are admitted at the age of 3, 4, or 5 with no prior knowledge of French!

150 N. Highland Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA • (610) 667-1284 • www.frenchschoolphila.org

Open House dates:

Early Childhood AT KIMBERTON WALDORF SCHOOL

Thursday, Sept. 20 8:45 - 10:30am

W

Thursday, Oct. 4 8:45 - 10:30am greenestreetfriends.org lclancy@greenestreetfriends.org 215.438.7005

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Personalized instruction for children with language-based learning differences.

PLAY-BASED, SENSORY RICH | ORGANIC HOME-COOKED SNACKS MEALS HARVESTED FROM OUR HEIRLOOM BIODYNAMIC GARDEN WARM AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT | DAILY OUTDOOR PLAY NEW! REDUCED TUITION RATES!

Kimberton.org ROSEBUD GARDEN PRESCHOOL • KINDERGARTEN

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Dyslexia

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Located in Abington, PA

Call today to schedule a tour! 215-657-2200

www.centerschoolpa.org MetroKids.com 17

Education

continued from p. 16

When you hear back from schools early, you have more time to work out a financial plan, says Justin G. Roy, dean of enrollment services at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, NJ. “Going early action really gives you more time to look into financial aid. It gives you more time to look into the affordability issue,” says Roy, who adds that some scholarships have very early deadlines. “If you’re a student who’s waited, you may miss those deadlines.”

Chrissy Grube, a mother of three living in Plumsteadville, PA, says her two oldest sons both applied early action to a number of schools.

“The nice thing is the schools that they submitted applications to are a little more competitive but they got answers back more quickly,” Grube says.

“To know a little bit earlier whether they said yes or no would change his game plan going forward. If they happened to be all no, it gave him a little more time to submit to other schools, instead of being stunned in early March and not knowing what to do next.”

Who should wait?

Early decision and early action are not for everyone.

For the student who needs more time to pull his grade-point average up, plans on taking the SAT or ACT again, or wants to research more schools, there is always the option to apply through regular decision or rolling admission.

Mathis recommends that route for “students who feel that their senior year is going to be strong academically and they want that coursework and their first semester grades to be included in the review of their application.”

Another reason to wait is if you and your child haven’t had a chance to visit the college and tour the campus, says Plunkett, who is going through the process with his son.

“We visited a few colleges and it’s been great,” Plunkett says. “The student usually knows when he’s on the campus and the feeling he gets, if it’s the right fit for him.

“I tell my son, the college search really goes from your head to your heart and

back to your head again. When the student finds the fit, it’s an amazing experience because you can see that in his eyes.”

Final words of advice

The process isn’t an easy one for parent or student. It’s a big decision with an overwhelming number of steps. So, here are some tips: “Do your research early and pay attention to deadlines. No school is perfect and there are many great options for everyone,” says Mathis.

“Take a deep breath,” urges Roy. “And don’t be afraid to ask for help or ask questions of your admissions counselor. He’s there to guide you. Drop him a message and just say `We’re trying to figure this out.’ Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

“Enjoy the process. I know it can be overwhelming. Trust yourself. Trust that voice inside your head that says this is what I want over the next four years of my life,” says Plunkett.

Michele Haddon is a freelance writer.

FAITH | INTELLECT | SERVICE | COMMUNITY | GROWTH

Strong Minds Brave Hearts SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 8:45 AM FALL 6th GRADE SCHOLARSHIP EXAM

Freedom to Flourish A coeducational, college preparatory school for students from age 3 through Grade 12, deeply rooted in Quaker values.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 9-11:00 AM

Open House Sat. October 20 or Tues. November 6

ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE GRADES K-12 www.SHAbrynmawr.org | 610-527-3915 480 S. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

18 MetroKids.com

MetroKids_18.indd 1

8/16/18 11:42 AM

Jenkintown, PA www.abingtonfriends.net • 215.576.3950 SEPTEMBER 2018

H.S. Independent School Survey If you want to find a high school that’s a good fit for your child, this 29th annual Independent School Survey is a great place to start. It is a snapshot of the top independent high schools serving the Delaware Valley, from day schools to boarding schools, large and small. Each has its own unique philosophy, explained briefly below.

You’ll also find information about school and class size, tuition and financial aid, technology use and instruction, and world languages.

The chart also lists average SAT scores as well as the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes offered.

Tuition is given as a range, as described in the accompanying key; schools offering financial aid are marked FAO.

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

H.S. enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

The chart is also accessible online at Metrokids.com/ highschools and more detailed information on each school is available as a searchable database at Metrokids.com/ educationguide, where you can sort by school name, state, county, grades or gender.

Also be sure to check out the MetroKids 2018 Guide to Schools, coming out this month, which will also include PreK–8 schools, programs that serve students with learning differences, in-depth school profiles as well as Open House dates.

KEY:

Tuition:

Services:

$ = < $10,000 = Accommodates disabilities $$ = $10,000-$20,000 = Summer camp, school or $$$ = $20,000-$30,000 program $$$$ = > $30,000 = Boarding school FAO = Financial aid offered Technology: BYOD = Bring your own device

Languages Grade begins

Technology

% attend college # AP/IB courses Avg. SAT(M/R/W)

Accommodates disabilities Summer program Boarding

digital recording Abington Friends School 100% PreK-12 540 $$$$ French-7; studio, Jenkintown 9 Coed 15:1 FAO Spanish-PreK instruction Abingtonfriends.net; 215-576-3950 Quaker school with a culture of intellectual & creative ambition; small class sizes; individual attention; freedom from standardized testing; highly personalized college guidance.

1:1 MacBook, Academy of Notre Dame de Namur 6-12 550 $$$ French- 6; Latin-6; coding, robotics Villanova Girls 9:1 FAO Mandarin-6; Spanish-6 computer labs Ndapa.org; 610-687-0650 College-prep school committed to educating and inspiring young women to take their place as compassionate leaders in a global society.

100% 19

Academy of the New Church 100% 9-12 227 $$$ French-10; Latin-9; computer labs Bryn Athyn 3 Coed 8:1 FAO Spanish-10 Ancss.org; 267-502-2539 Girls’ & boys’ schools work collaboratively. Coursework combines with religious education inspired by New Church fundamentals; 8 boys’, 7 girls’ varsity teams; service learning.

100% French-6; Greek-9; Agnes Irwin School, The instruction, PreK-12 285 $$$$ Latin-7; Spanish-K; Rosemont robotics Girls 6:1 FAO 610-710/580-710 Mandarin-9 Agnesirwin.org; 610-525-8400 All-girls college-prep school stresses leadership, wellness, teaching and learning in the 21st century and global citizenship via its Center for the Advancement of Girls.

1:1 laptops, AIM Academy 1-12 344 $$$$ Latin-9 robotics, 100% Conshohocken Coed 9:1 FAO computer labs Aimpa.org; 215-483-2461 College-prep independent school where students with language-based learning differences thrive in a rigorous setting, taught by highly committed, experienced and creative faculty.

ATG Learning Academy 75% Chalfont K-12 28 $$$$ Spanish-9 instruction 490/510/500 Atglearningacademy.com; Coed 4:1 FAO 267-803-1751 Educates and empowers students with learning differences; supportive, small-class environment; Arrowsmith and other specialized programs; college/career guidance; SAT prep.

Baldwin School, The PreK-12 238 $$$$ Arabic; Latin; French; 1:1 Mac 100% Bryn Mawr Girls 7:1 FAO Spanish; Mandarin program 680/700 Baldwinschool.org; 610-525-2700 Develops bright, talented girls into confident, accomplished women with vision, global understanding and the determination to make enduring contributions to the world.

100% Church Farm School (CFS) 9-12 200 $$$$ French-9; 1:1 laptops 9 Exton Boys 5:1 FAO Spanish-9 584/597 Gocfs.net; 610-363-7500 Independent boarding and day school. Founded in 1918 to provide excellent education to young men from limited means, Church Farm School fulfills its mission of opportunity.

Concept School, The French-9; 1:1 devices, 7-12 32 95% Westtown $$$ Spanish-9 Chromebooks Coed 6:1 Theconceptschool.org; 610-399-1135 Serves students with average or above intelligence; 10-acre wooded setting; hands-on learning; social thinking; emphasizes creativity and positive environment for students to flourish.

SEPTEMBER 2018

MetroKids.com 19

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

H.S. enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Technology

% attend college # AP/IB courses Avg. SAT(M/R/W)

Accommodates disabilities Summer program Boarding

Crefeld School, The BYOD; 7-12 100 $$$$ 90% Spanish-9 Phila. 19118 1:1 devices Coed 10:1 FAO Crefeld.org; 215-242-5545 The Crefeld School provides a welcoming, accepting, and warm community where all students are known well, expected to fully be themselves, and every individual is appreciated.

Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School iPads, Phila. 19141 9-12 470 $ Latin-9 Netbooks 5 Cristoreyphiladelphia.org; Coed 24:1 FAO 215-219-3943 Independent, Catholic h.s. for students of all faiths who could not otherwise afford a private education. Combines rigorous academics with professional work experience.

Chinese-6; 1:1 98% Delaware County Christian School PreK-12 630 $$ German-6; Chromebooks, 14 Newtown Square Coed 10:1 FAO Spanish-1 computer labs 598/576/567 Dccs.org; 610-353-6522 Christian philosophy within curriculum, programs & activities. High percent recognized by National Merit Scholarship Corp.; 12 boys’, 11 girls’ teams; service learning.

1:1 MacBook 100% Delaware Valley Friends School 3-12 187 $$$$ ASL; Airs, Paoli Coed 4:1 FAO Spanish SmartBoards 1640 Dvfs.org; 610-640-4150 Coed, Quaker, college-prep school for bright students who struggle with reading, writing, math, memory, processing, ADHD, executive functioning and other learning differences.

Devon Preparatory School 6-12 212 $$$ Devon Boys 6:1 FAO Devonprep.com; 610-688-7337 Private, Catholic college-prep school focused on the holistic education of young men for life.

French-7; German-7; Latin-9; Spanish-7

instruction, robotics

100% 18 620/625/604

1:1 iPads, 93% Dock Mennonite Academy 9-12 370 $$ Spanish-9 coding, 10 Lansdale Coed 10:1 FAO robotics 555/530/516 Dock.org; 215-362-2675 Mennonite-affiliated h.s. offers freshman refugee camp; 3-day juniors’ social issues D.C. trip; championship girls’ soccer team; robotics team; mentors for new students.

1:1 devices, Episcopal Academy, The 100% Chinese-6, French-6; robotics, Newtown Square PreK-12 500 $$$$ 23 Greek-9; Latin-7; computer labs, Episcopalacademy.org; Coed 7:1 FAO 639/648/665 Spanish-PreK instruction 484-424-1400 Coed, independent college-prep school features innovative math and science program, vigorous athletics, vibrant arts and strong community service.

French-7; Latin-7; 1:1 iPads, 100% Friends’ Central School PreK-12 375 $$$$ Prima Lingua-5; digital media 29 Wynnewood Coed 14:1 FAO Spanish-PreK lab, 625/630/630 Friendscentral.org; 610-649-7440 Since 1845, this independent, college-prep Quaker school has been educating for excellence, inspiring tomorrow’s leaders and encouraging students to peacefully change the world.

French-9; Italian-9; Friends Select School instruction, 100% PreK-12 588 $$$$ Latin-7; MandarinPhila. 19103 robotics Coed 10:1 FAO PreK; Spanish-PreK 1240 Friends-select.org; 215-561-5900 College-prep academics at a Quaker school with a vibrant Center City location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; diverse, close community; full athletic program; service learning.

Chinese-9; George School instruction, 100% 9-12 540 $$$$ French-9; Latin-9; Newtown robotics 20 Coed 14:1 FAO Spanish-9 Georgeschool.org; 215-579-6547 A rigorous coed boarding and day school that educates students from more than 20 states and 40 countries with a commitment to diversity and Quaker values.

100% Germantown Academy Chinese-PreK; 3D printing, 16 Fort Washington PreK-12 548 $$$$ French-6; instruction, 550-660/560Germantownacademy.net; Coed 8:1 FAO German-9; Latin-6; SmartBoards 680/560-690 215-646-3300 Spanish-PreK Oldest, nonsectarian, continuously run independent school in the nation offers outstanding academics in a setting steeped in more than 250 years of tradition.

Germantown Friends School French-7; Greek-9, 100% Phila. 19144 PreK-12 916 $$$$ Latin-7; Mandarin-9 instruction 678/692 Germantownfriends.org; Coed 7:1 FAO Spanish-K 215-951-2300 Quaker co-ed day school. Accomplished faculty lead the mission to seek truth, challenge intellects, honor differences, embrace the city and nurture each student’s mind, body & spirit. computer labs; Girard College 95% French-7; K-12 100 1:1 0 Phila. 19121 1 Spanish-7 Coed 15-18:1 Chromebooks Girardcollege.edu; 215-787-2600 Boarding school with rigorous academics. Students receive full scholarships, must come from single- or no-parent family, have financial needs and possess good grades & behavior.

20 MetroKids.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

H.S. enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Technology

% attend college # AP/IB courses Avg. SAT(M/R/W)

Accommodates disabilities Summer program Boarding

Gwynedd Mercy Academy High French-9; SmartBoards, 100% School 9-12 400 $$ Latin-9; iPads, robotics, 50 AP/honors Gwynedd Valley Girls 10:1 FAO Spanish-9 3D printing 580/585/612 Gmahs.org; 215-646-8815 All-girls private Catholic college prep school committed to holistic education with a focus on service and global citizenship. Committed to academic, spiritual and social development.

Chinese-9; Haverford School, The BYOD, robotics, 100% PreK-12 441 $$$$ Latin-6; Haverford instruction 660/680 Boys 8:1 FAO Spanish-6 Haverford.org; 610-642-3020 Committed to developing the full intellectual, artistic, athletic and moral potential in each boy and graduate young men with strong character who possess a passion for learning.

Chinese-9; Arabic-9; 1:1 iPads; Hill School, The 100% 9-12 522 $$$$ French-9; Greek-9; Apple TVs; Pottstown 30 Coed 7:1 FAO Latin-9; Spanish-9 instruction Thehill.org; 610-326-1000 A purposefully small and close learning community focused on academic excellence, high expectations, faculty support, character education, strong history and traditions.

100% French-9; Holy Ghost Preparatory School BYOD, 9-12 461 $$$ 20 Latin-9; Bensalem computer labs Boys 10:1 FAO 1855 Spanish-9 Holyghostprep.org; 215-639-2102 Boys’ independent Catholic college-prep school dedicated to academic excellence. Strong extracurriculars; debate & public speaking champions; 12 varsity teams; community service.

100% French-6; Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy 1:1 iPads, 6-12 360 $$$$ 7 Hebrew-6; Latin-6; Bryn Mawr technology lab Coed 15:1 FAO 670/640/690 Spanish-6 Jbha.org; 610-922-2300 Thematic middle school science and world language programs; 25 percent National Merit Scholarship recognition; 11th-grade study abroad in Israel; 18 sports teams, 40+ clubs.

95% Kimberton Waldorf School PreK-12 250 $$$ German-1; robotics 520-650/520Kimberton Coed 18:1 FAO Spanish-1 670/540-680 Kimberton.org; 610-933-3635 At Kimberton Waldorf School, learning is a process of discovery that engages the whole human being where students are involved in a dynamic process of exploration and experience.

Chinese-9; French-9; 1:1 tablets, 100% La Salle College High School 9-12 1083 $$$ Italian-9; Latin-9; robotics, 26 Wyndmoor Boys 19:1 FAO Spanish-9 computer labs 610/600 Lschs.org; 215-233-2911 Independent Catholic college-prep boys’ school. 11 bands & 3 choirs, outstanding art, music & service program; 16 varsity sports; high percentage of scholarship recipients.

Lancaster Country Day School 100% Chinese-6; 1:1 ipads, Lancaster PreK-12 581 $$$ 13 French-9; Latin-9; robotics lab Lancastercountryday.org Coed 8:1 FAO 1823 Spanish-PreK 717- 392-2916 Demanding college prep education that educates the whole child, with mentoring faculty who tailor lessons to student interests, talents and needs in small classes.

Lansdale Catholic High School 9-12 720 $ French-9; Italian-9 Science labs 16 Lansdale Coed 25:1 FAO Latin-9; Spanish-9 1805 Lansdalecatholic.com; 215-362-6160 Innovative archdiocesan coed Catholic secondary school has been named a Model School by the International Center for Leadership in Education. 20 varsity teams.

Linden Hall Latin-6; Greek-7; 100% 6-12 218 $$$$ Lititz French-8; Mandarin-8; robotics 18 Girls 10:1 FAO Spanish-8 720/660 Lindenhall.org; 717-626-8512 College-prep boarding and day school founded in 1746; nation’s oldest and top-ranked academically; $6 million Center for Academic Excellence.

French-PK; Latin-8; 100% Malvern Preparatory School 6-12 500 $$$$ Chinese-8; instruction 16 Malvern Boys 16-20:1 FAO Spanish-6 1600-1920 Malvernprep.org; 484-595-1173 Independent Catholic boys’ college-prep school committed to the Augustinian virtues of truth, unity and love. Outstanding athletics, arts, academics and Christian service programs.

100% Chinese-11; Merion Mercy Academy iPads, 9-12 445 $$ 17 French-9; Latin-9; Merion Station SmartBoards Girls 10:1 FAO Spanish-9 Merion-mercy.com; 610-664-6655 Independent, Catholic, college-prep school that encourages academic and personal excellence. 24 service and justice programs; 14 varsity sports; award-winning publications.

French-9; Latin-9; 100% Mount Saint Joseph Academy 9-12 531 $$$ Spanish-9; iPads 16 Flourtown Girls 20:1 FAO Mandarin-11 630/660/680 Msjacad.org; 215-233-3177 Independent Catholic h.s. empowers girls to be agents of unity & reconciliation. Strong community service, many academic honors; national crew champion; titles in 9 other sports.

SEPTEMBER 2018

MetroKids.com 21

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

H.S. enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Technology

% attend college # AP/IB courses Avg. SAT(M/R/W)

Accommodates disabilities Summer program Boarding

Nazareth Academy High School 100% French-9; Greek-11 computer labs, Phila. 19114 9-12 400 $$ 12 Italian-9; Latin-9; Smartboards Nazarethacademyhs.org; Girls 9:1 FAO 1162/1600 Spanish-9 215-637-7676 Private Catholic girls’ preparatory h.s. offers disciplines from AP art history to psychology & statistics. Extracurriculars in music/performing arts (10 groups) and athletics (12 teams).

New Hope Academy 90% 6-12 125 Case-by-case German-6; Yardley instruction 5 Coed 2:1 basis Spanish-6 Newhope.academy; 215-493-4200 Coed school with non-traditional education that motivates students who need extra help, have IEPs or just don’t fit in. Students progress at own pace, yet are challenged to stretch.

Perkiomen School Pennsburg perkiomen.org; 215-679-9511

6-12 Coed

269 12:1

$$$$ FAO

Chinese-7; German-8; Latin-6; Spanish-8

1:1 ipads, Innovation Center

100% 30 AP

Empowering students to risk becoming their best since 1975. Exemplary faculty who live on campus, a global community that includes domestic and international students.

Phelps School, The 98% 6-PG 110 $$$$ Spanish-9 instruction Malvern 14 Boys 7:1 FAO Thephelpsschool.org; 610-644-1754 Boarding & day school for young men who thrive in a small & personalized learning environment, with a strong support system, robust athletics program and post-grad year option.

Philadelphia-Montgomery Christian Academy K-12 107 $$ French-9; instruction Erdenheim Coed 15:1 FAO Spanish-9 Phil-mont.com; 215-233-0782 Coed college-prep school provides excellent education from a Christian world and life view; educating children of Christian families since 1943.

98% 4 1710

Plumstead Christian School 98% PreK-12 129 $$ Latin-3; instruction, Plumsteadville 8 Coed 15:1 FAO Spanish-9 robotics 1104 Plumsteadchristian.org; 215-766-8073 Nondenominational college-prep Christian school with a mission to provide a caring community where students are taught to think biblically and serve Christ-centered lives.

Roman Catholic High School 95% Spanish; French; 1:1 iPads; Philadelphia 9-12 920 $ 9 Italian-9; Arabic; instruction Romancatholichs.com Boys 30:1 FAO 492/487/500 Latin; Mandarin 215-627-1270 Diocesan boy’s school offers comprehensive academic curriculum within a disciplined Catholic environment. New fine arts center opens 2018.

French-K; Sacred Heart Academy Bryn Mawr BYOD, coding, 100% K-12 265 $$$ Latin-9; Bryn Mawr computer labs 13 Girls 40:1 FAO Spanish-9 SHAbrynmawr.org; 610-527-3915 Catholic, independent college prep school that seeks to produce self-confident women; provide a challenging intellectual education; develop a love of God; create a desire to help others.

Latin-9; French; Saint Basil Academy BYOD; 9-12 247 $$ Spanish-9; Jenkintown computer labs Girls 10:1 FAO Ukrainian-9 Stbasilacademy.org; 215-885-3771 Strong college prep program committed to fostering academic excellence; championship athletic teams; excellent music and arts programs.

100% 9 571/551/577

Chinese-9; French-9; 1:1 99% Saint Joseph’s Preparatory School 9-12 896 $$$ German-9; Greek-10; Chromebooks, 17 Phila. 19130 Boys 22:1 FAO Latin-9; Spanish-9 instruction 630/632 Sjprep.org; 215-978-1950 Urban Jesuit college-prep school develops the hearts, minds and souls of boys in the pursuit of becoming men for and with others. 14 varsity teams; 4 sports clubs; summer program.

100% French-7; Latin-7; Shipley School, The 1:1 laptops, PreK-12 378 $$$$ 2 Mandarin-7; Bryn Mawr instruction Coed 7:1 FAO 680/680 Spanish-PreK Shipleyschool.org; 610-525-4300 Private coed day school committed to educational excellence; develops within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.

99% Solebury School 9-12 235 $$$$ French-9; 10 New Hope Coed 10:1 FAO Spanish-9 573/580/569 Solebury.org; 215-862-5261 Private day and boarding college-prep school offers AP and honors classes, Teach2Serve and progressive electives in a beautiful country setting.

Chinese-K; 1:1 iPads, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy PreK-12 1,025 $$$$ French-7; Latin-7; computer lab, Phila. 19118 Coed 7:1 FAO Spanish-7 robotics Sch.org; 215-247-4700 An independent school that offers a rigorous curriculum and empowers its students to thrive independently and collectively.

22 MetroKids.com

100% 11 600/598/680

SEPTEMBER 2018

School, Location Website; Phone

Grades Gender

H.S. enrollment Student: teacher ratio

Tuition Financial aid

Languages Grade begins

Technology

% attend college # AP/IB courses Avg. SAT(M/R/W)

Accommodates disabilities Summer program Boarding

Chinese-7; Valley Forge Military Academy 98% 7-12 250 $$$$ French-7; Latin-7; Wayne 3 Boys 12:1 FAO Spanish-7 Vfmac.edu; 610-989-1200 Campus environment defined by application of a military model that prepares students to lead and inspire others beyond graduation in a complex, competitive global environment.

100% French-9; Villa Joseph Marie High School BYOD, 9-12 400 $$ 15 Italian-9; Latin-9; Holland computer labs Girls 10:1 FAO 606/579 Spanish-9 Vjmhs.org; 215-357-8810 Founded and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Casimir, Villa Joseph Marie is a private Catholic college-prep school for young women — the only of its kind in Bucks County.

French-9; ESL-9; Villa Maria Academy High School 9-12 449 $$$ Latin-9; 1:1 iPads Malvern Girls 7:1 FAO Spanish-9 Vmahs.org; 610-644-2551 Catholic college-prep school empowers young women to lead lives of spiritual growth, intellectual inquiry & Christian service.

100% 21 571/582/596

French-9; Westtown School PreK-12 365 $$$$ Latin-7; Mandarin-9 1:1 laptops 100% West Chester Coed 8:1 FAO Spanish-PreK Westtown.edu; 610-399-0123 Quaker school with boarding options in grades 9-12; challenging, diverse curriculum emphasizing action-based learning, critical thinking, collaboration, service and problem solving.

Chinese-6; 1:1 MacBooks; 100% William Penn Charter School PreK-12 450 $$$$ French-6; Latin-6; aquaponics lab, 12 Phila. 19144 Coed 7:1 FAO Spanish-K coding 650/650 Penncharter.com; 215-844-3460 A Friends school on a 47-acre campus in the East Falls neighborhood. Math and writing centers and state-of-the-art performing arts center and athletic facilities. instruction, 95% Woodlynde School K-12 275 $$$$ French-8; robotics, 3 Strafford Coed 6:1 FAO Spanish-8 1:1 devices Woodlynde.org; 610-687-9660 Individualized teacher attention to students and families; 100% college acceptance; Wilson Reading-affiliated curriculum. Partnership with Cabrini College.

Wyncote Academy Melrose Park Wyncoteacademy.org; 215-885-2000

6-12 Coed

70 8:1

$$$ FAO

Spanish-9

1:1 laptops

90% 1820

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Enroll now for the 2018-2019 school year.

www.agora.org

844-462-4672 A Tuition Free Pennsylvania Public School

SEPTEMBER 2018

MetroKids.com 23

Family Fun

Family Theater Guide Kids love drama — and the 2018-2019 season at Delaware Valley theaters offers plenty of it. From familiar favorites to new adventures, you’ll find performances for all ages.

So sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Academy of Music Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Nov. 6–18) Paw Patrol Live: Race to the Rescue (April 5–7) Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Feb. 22–24) Anastasia (April 9–14)

Matilda: the Musical

Merriam Theater Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical (Dec. 19–29) Peg + Cat Live (March 30)

Walnut Street Theatre Disney’s Aladdin Jr. (Sept. 22–30) Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical (Nov. 6–Jan. 6) Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (Dec. 1–23) R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Phantom of the Auditorium (Feb. 2–9) Pinkalicious: The Musical (March 29–April 13) Fly Guy: The Musical (May 31–June 9)

24 MetroKids.com

BUCKS COUNTY Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Playhouse Christmas Show (Dec. 7–30) Montgomery Theater, Souderton A Fairy Tale (Oct. 19–28)

CHESTER COUNTY People’s Light, Malvern Cinderella: A Musical Panto (Nov. 14–Jan. 8) For Peter Pan on Her 700th Birthday (April 10–May 12)

DELAWARE COUNTY Media Theatre, Media Jack Frost (Nov. 25–Dec. 31) Players Club of Swarthmore, Swarthmore Seussical (Oct. 5–14) Shrek: The Musical (March 1–10) Schoolhouse Rock Jr. (Aug. 10–18)

THEATER FOR TEENS & TWEENS PHILADELPHIA Academy of Music Fiddler on the Roof (Oct. 23–28) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Feb. 8–17) Arden Theatre Company A Doll’s House Pt. 2 (Oct. 25–Dec. 9) Every Brilliant Thing (Nov. 8–Dec. 16) Merriam Theater The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (Jan. 22–27) Rent (March 5–10) Walnut Street Theatre The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (March 12–April 28) Legally Blonde: The Musical (May 14–July 14)

Spotlight Theatre, Swarthmore Young Frankenstein (Oct. 19-–8) Seussical Jr. (June 7–22)

THE SUBURBS Bristol Riverside Theatre, Bristol On Golden Pond (Jan. 22–Feb. 10) The Sunshine Boys (March 12–31)

Wolf Performing Arts Center, Bryn Mawr Disney’s The Lion King Kids (Dec. 5–8) Peter and the Starcatcher (Jan. 10–13) Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Kids (April 6 & 7)

Players Club of Swarthmore, Swarthmore Guys and Dolls (Sept. 14–29) Sister Act (April 19–May 4)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Steel River Playhouse, Pottstown Much Ado About Nothing (March 8–24)

Act II Playhouse, Ambler This Wonderful Life (Dec. 4–30) Rosie the Reindeer and the Case of the Stolen Snow Globe (Dec. 8–28) Aggy the Adventurer (March 29–April 7) Ambler Theater, Ambler The Jungle Book (Nov. 7 & 10) Peter Pan (Jan. 21) Aladdin (Feb. 20 & 23) Toad’s Escape (March 13 & 16) Steel River Playhouse, Pottstown Miracle on 34th Street (Dec. 7–23) Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (May 24–June 9)

Wolf Performing Arts Center, Bryn Mawr Romeo and Juliet (Dec. 14–16) Fiddler on the Roof

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

PHILADELPHIA

Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2018

THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA PRESENTS THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA PRESENTS

SUNDAYS on STAGE SUNDAYS THE FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA PRESENTS

on STAGE for free performances

es of A seAriseries of performances , and adults A ild series free performances milies fafree ren,of ch for for children, children, families, families, and and adults adults A series of free performances Select Sundays throughout Spring 2018 Select Sundaysfamilies, throughout Spring 2018 for children, and adults All performances begin at 2:00 p.m.

NUGGET & FANG September 29 at 2pm & 4pm

s y a n u All begin atd 2:00 p.m.

S t c le eperformances SSelect (Doors at p.m.)

Sundaysopen throughout 2018 (Doors open at 1:30 1:30Spring p.m.)

2:00 p.m. at

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS… December 7-9 THE NUTCRACKER - Abridged & Narrated December 14 - 16

in beg ces begin performances at 2:00 rman fo erThis series is made possible by funding fromp.m. the All pAll This series is made possible by funding from the .) .m p 30 Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers.

1: (Doors open at 1:30 p.m.) at en p oors oCity Institute Board of Managers.

(DPhiladelphia

SNOW DAY - An Interactive Live Radio Show December 22-23 RAPUNZEL February 23 at 2pm & 4pm

This series is made possible by funding from the Philadelphia City Institute Board of Managers.

A SICK DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE Saturday, March 16 at 2pm & 4pm

of Managers.

Parkway Central a City Institute Board PhiladelphiLibrary funding from the Central Library sible by Parkway This series is made pos 1901 Vine Street

JACK & THE BEANSTALK Saturday, April 13 at 2pm & 4pm

1901 Vine Street 215-686-5372 Parkway Central Library 215-686-5372

freelibrary.org/sundaysonstage 1901 Vine Street freelibrary.org/sundaysonstage 215-686-5372

freelibrary.org/sundaysonstage

609-570-3333 kelseytheatre.net

THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS Saturday, May 4 at 2pm & 4pm 1200 Old Trenton Rd. W. Windsor, NJ 08550

“iLuminate is an exhilarating event for the entire family” - Macaroni Kid

SEP 21–22 KIMMELCENTER.ORG SEPTEMBER 2018

PROUD SEASON SPONSOR

MetroKids.com 25

Family Fun

History comes to life during the Village Renaissance Faire in Wrightstown, Sept. 15 & 16.

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR Special needs event Archaeology Festival

8 Saturday

Editor's Pick

$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up

1 Saturday

Bank of America Museums on Us, Phila. Bank of America and Merrill Lynch cardholders get free access to participating venues, including the African American Museum in Philadelphia, Museum of the American Revolution, National Museum of American Jewish History and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. FREE Draken East Coast Tour at Penn's Landing, Phila. Step aboard the world’s largest modern-day Viking ship to learn about the structure and Viking legends and traditions. $$$$

Pennsylvania Coast Day

15 Saturday

Family Campout

22 Saturday

26 MetroKids.com

Labor Day Back-to-School Celebration at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. Each child snags a goodie bag stuffed with colored pencils, a history-themed coloring book and a pocket-sized Declaration of Independence. Kids 12 & younger get in free all weekend. $$$

Polish-American Family Festival and Country Fair at the National Shrine of our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown. Celebrate Polish culture, heritage and traditions with food, games, attractions, crafts and entertainment. $$$

2 Sunday

Eastern Coyote Program at Norristown Farm Park, E. Norriton. Learn about the animal’s natural history and adaptations. FREE First Sunday Family Day: Reboot, Renew, Revival at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Make a dream-catcher and solar prints, design a birdhouse, play jumbo Jenga and join dance activities. FREE Labor Day Back-to-School Celebration at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. See Sept. 1. $$$

Labor Day Celebration at Franklin Square, Phila. $

Labor Day Celebration at Franklin Square, Phila. $

Labor Day Volkfest at Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, Phila. This Oktoberfest bash features entertainment, vendors, rides and prizes. $$

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Heroes of the Realm Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$

Labor Day Weekend Fireworks at Sesame Place, Langhorne. $$$$

Polish-American Family Festival and Country Fair at the National Shrine of our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown. See Sept. 1. $$$

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Heroes of the Realm Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$

Vulture Day at Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown. Learn about the bird and search for them. FREE

SEPTEMBER 2018

3 Monday

Game Masters Closing Day at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Last day to journey through the history of video games and try your hand at classic arcade games, as well as multi-player immersive experiences. $$$$ Garden Railway Closing Day at Morris Arboretum, Phila. View this mini city, with a quarter-mile track that runs through it, for the final time this season. $$$

Wings and Wheels Festival at Wings Field, Blue Bell. Check out vintage and military aircraft, new planes and classic and antique cars, then enjoy kids’ activities, music and food. $$

9 Sunday

Brazilian Day Festival on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Phila. See “Culture Club,” below. FREE Doylestown Arts Festival in downtown Doylestown. FREE

Labor Day Back-to-School Celebration at the Museum of the American Revolution, Phila. See Sept. 1. $$$

Greenfest on the Bainbridge Green, Phila. There’ll be 100-plus eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors, demos and fun for kids. FREE

Labor Day Celebration at Franklin Square, Phila. $

Kennett Square Mushroom Festival in downtown Kennett Square. See Sept. 8. $

Polish-American Family Festival and Country Fair at the National Shrine of our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown. See Sept. 1. $$$

Naturalist Foray: Stream Search at Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown. FREE

6 Thursday

Insect Music Program at Norristown Farm Park, E. Norriton.

Find out the sounds made by field insects, search for them in the meadow and make a buggy craft. $ Planet B at the Arch Street United Methodist Church, Phila.

Performed by Yes! And … Collaborative Arts. $$

7 Friday

Philadelphia Honey Festival at Glen Foerd on the Delaware, Phila. Discover bees’ importance to our environment with handson fun, including beekeeping demos and crafts. FREE Puppy Yoga at Xfinity Live, Phila. This adults-only event benefits the PSPCA. $$$$

Philadelphia Honey Festival at Bartram’s Garden, Phila. The fest wraps up with a bee carnival and parade for kids, beekeeping demos, tours and a marketplace. FREE Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Wizarding Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$ Racing: A Need for Speed Closing Day at the Mercer Museum, Doylestown. Last chance to explore the history of racing in Bucks County, from 1800s horsetracks to 20th century cars and bikes. $$$ Revolutionary War Encampment at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May, NJ. See Sept. 8. $$$ Sundays on Stage: Zydeco-a-Go-Go at the Parkway Central Library, Phila. Performance features a family-friendly mix of New Orleans-inspired R&B and rock. FREE

8 Saturday

14 Friday

Archaeology Festival at Newlin Grist Mill, Glen Mills. Help out with excavations, dig into kids’ activities and view artifact displays from around Delaware County. FREE

Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. In addition to camping on the beach, fun includes a dance party, bonfire, canvas painting and hayrides. $$$$

Doylestown Arts Festival in downtown Doylestown. FREE

Tailgating Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village, Intercourse. Vote for your favorite scarecrow throughout the village, sample homemade food during cooking demos and compete in the pumpkin whoopie-pie-filling contest. FREE

Family Fun Day at the Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, Ronks. $$ Kennett Square Mushroom Festival in downtown Kennett Square. Pay homage to the town’s top crop with a 5K run/ walk, parade, kiddie rides, cook-offs, tastings and a fried mushroom-eating contest. $ Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Wizarding Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$ Philadelphia Honey Festival at Wyck Historic House, Garden and Farm, Phila. Activities include honey tastings, extractions and presentations. FREE Revolutionary War Encampment at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May, NJ. Check out encampments, weaponry and demos hosted by living-history groups and watch artillery demos. $$$

15 Saturday

Arts and Music Festival at Linvilla Orchards, Media. FREE Community Day at Uptown Hall, Parkland. Local crafters and vendors, games, food trucks, music and performances are all part of the fun. FREE Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. See Sept. 14. $$$$ Pennsylvania Coast Day at Penn’s Landing, Phila. The event teams up with Camden, NJ’s concurrent Delaware River Festival to host on-the-water activities, educational programming, music and fishing opportunities on both sides of the coast. FREE

CULTURE CLUB

Philly’s PECO Multicultural Series celebrates arts, cultures and history around the globe. Bring the family to the Brazilian Day Festival (pictured), Sept.

9, to enjoy authentic food, merchandise and music. On Sept. 16, the fun continues during the Mexican Independence Day Festival featuring traditional arts & crafts, performances, face painting and giveaways.

SEPTEMBER 2018

MetroKids.com 27

Town & County:

Family Fun Day Out with Thomas at the Strasburg Rail Road, Ronks. Through Sept. 23, hitch a ride on Thomas or his pal Percy. $$$ Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Pirate Invasion Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$ Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village, New Hope. Enjoy scarecrow-making workshops, pumpkin painting and kids’ activities. FREE Tailgating Festival at Kitchen Kettle Village, Intercourse. See Sept. 14. FREE Village Renaissance Faire at the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, Wrightstown. Entertainment includes armored horseback jousting, flying birds of prey, aerialist shows, carriage and pony rides, a petting zoo, juggling, comedy, theatre performances, dancing and historical demos. $$

16 Sunday

Toddler Time: Harvest Fest at American Swedish Historical Museum, Phila. Little ones pick apples from a tree and practice counting lingonberries. $

20 Thursday

Springhouse Storytime: Makin’ Music at Newlin Grist Mill, Glen Mills. $$

21 Friday

Nature at Night at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, New Hope. Bring a flashlight to search the meadow for signs of nocturnal creatures. $$ Special Abilities Night at Storybook Land, Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Enjoy the park with reduced lights and noise and fewer crowds. $$$ Terror Behind the Walls at Eastern State Penitentiary, Phila. This super-scary haunt is suited for ages 7 & up. Through Nov. 10. $$$$

22 Saturday

Arts and Music Festival at Linvilla Orchards, Media. FREE

Apple Festival and Pie-Eating Contest at Linvilla Orchards, Media. FREE

Fall Beach Jam at Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ. See Sept. 14. $$$$

The Count's Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place, Langhorne. Through Oct. 28, come in costume to enjoy themed shows, trick-or-treating and parades. $$$$

Mexican Independence Day Festival on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Phila. See “Culture Club,” p. 27. FREE Mt. Airy Village Fair at Green St. & Carpenter Ln., Phila. This outdoor fest features hands-on activities, plus live music and food. FREE Naturalist Foray: Bountiful Bugs at Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown. FREE Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Pirate Invasion Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$

Family Campout at Riverbend Environmental Education Center, Gladwyne. Food and campfire setup provided. $$$$ Hero Thrill Show at the Wells Fargo Center, Phila. Head to the parking lot for carnival games, boardwalk food, music and meet-and-greets with firefighters and police. $$ Museum Day Live! at participating museums. See “Fab Freebie,” p. 29. FREE

Scarecrow Festival at Peddler’s Village, New Hope. See Sept. 15. FREE

Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Time Travel Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$

Superhero Sunday Family Festival at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Snap a selfie with costumed characters, including Black Panther. $$$

Apple Festival and Pie-Eating Contest at Linvilla Orchards, Media. FREE

Village Renaissance Faire at the Middletown Grange Fairgrounds, Wrightstown. See Sept. 15. $$

17 Monday

Constitution Day at National Constitution Center, Phila. Listen to a reading of the Preamble, watch new Americans take the citizenship oath and sign a giant Constitution. FREE

18 Tuesday

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE Kids’ Yoga Class at Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown. FREE

28 MetroKids.com

Harvest Kickoff

23 Sunday

Feria Del Barrio on 5th St. between Somerset & Huntingdon Sts., Phila. This celebration of Latino arts and cultures features performances, crafts, games and food. FREE Native American Day for Kids and Families at Norristown Farm Park, E. Norriton. Activities include storytelling, crafts and games. FREE Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Time Travel Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$ Sukkot Family Festival at the Please Touch Museum, Phila. Celebrate the Jewish holiday by building sukkahs, reflecting on nature and enjoying the fall harvest. $$$

The season is changing.

Soon we’ll be sipping apple cider, taking hayrides and donning our coziest sweaters. A few local farms and orchards are embracing the harvest season and kicking off the celebrations early.

BUCKS COUNTY Peddler’s Village in New Hope ushers in the season with the annual Scarecrow Competition and Display.

Cast your vote starting Sept.

10 for categories that range from Thrills and Chills to Kids Only.

CHESTER COUNTY West Chester’s Highland Orchards hosts its first Fall Harvest Festival Weekend of the season Sept. 15 &16, complete with an artisanal craft fair, hayrides, farm animals farm tours and food trucks.

DELAWARE COUNTY Opening Sept. 8, Linvilla Orchards’ Pumpkinland is an area favorite, with 100plus tons of pumpkins on display, as well as towering scarecrows that share tales of the harvest season. Round out the fun with mazes and pick-your-own apples.

LANCASTER COUNTY Cherry Crest Adventure Farm in Ronks switches seasons Sept. 14 with corn and straw-bale mazes, wagon rides and barnyard attractions.

SEPTEMBER 2018

Sundays on Stage: The Principles of Hip Hop at the Parkway Central Library, Phila. Performed by Hip Hop Fundamentals. FREE

26 Wednesday

Animal Habitats Program at Norristown Farm Park, E. Norriton.

Stories, games and crafts focus on local critters. $$

28 Friday

Philly High School Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. Parents and students meet reps from charter, regional, private and district schools to learn about extracurricular and academic programs, application processes and admissions criteria. FREE

29 Saturday

History at Work: Paper Marbling at Newlin Grist Mill, Glen Mills. FREE Once Upon a Time: Exploring the World of Fairy Tales at Mercer Museum, Doylestown. Dive into the history of classics from Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast to Jack and the Beanstalk. $$$ Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Oktoberfest Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$

FAB FREEBIE

Inspired by the free-admission Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C., Museum Day Live! grants free access to ticketholders at select venues Sept. 22. Each ticket — downloadable from Smithsonianmag.com/museumday — admits two guests to one museum. View the full list of participants at MetroKids.com/museumdaylive.

Philly High School Fair at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Phila. See Sept. 28. FREE

Participants include:

Fall for the Arts Festival on Germantown Avenue, Phila. The Chestnut Hill neighborhood plays host to an outdoor arts & crafts marketplace. FREE

• • • • • • • • • • • • •

Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila.

African American Museum in Philadelphia American Swedish Historical Museum, Phila.

Fonthill Castle, Doylestown Fort Mifflin, Phila.

Independence Seaport Museum, Phila.

Laurel Hill Mansion, Phila.

Mercer Museum, Doylestown Michener Art Museum, Doylestown Pearl S. Buck International, Perkasie Penn Museum, Phila.

Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore Woodmere Art Museum, Phila.

Zoe's Monster Mash Dance Party Dine at Sesame Place, Langhorne. $$$$

30 Sunday

Naturalist Foray: Seed Packages at Peace Valley Nature Center, Doylestown. Search the grounds for a variety of seeds. FREE Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire: Oktoberfest Weekend at Mount Hope Estate and Winery, Manheim. $$$$ Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.

Win It! Shake up your alphabet lessons with the Go-with-Me ABC Backpack. Using the write-and-erase board, tots can practice letter writing and drawing with Mr. Pencil. After they watch on-screen instructions that depict how to write each letter, kids try out what they’ve learned through seven activities (Leapfrog; 3+; $29.99).

Early-

Learning

FUN SEPTEMBER 2018

Stripes, swirls, polka dots — little ones as young as 6 weeks enjoy eye-catching hues and patterns on each page of Baby Sees Colors!, a board book from Japan that’s gaining popularity here. Based on years of research and refinement, the collection of whimsical artwork instills in newborns through age 3 an early recognition of colors and contrast ($9.99).

Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Sept. 1. Prizes will be mailed by the provider to the address given on the entry form.

MetroKids.com 29

Looking for the BEST school for your child?

The Delaware Valley has some of the most prestigious schools right in our very own backyard.

Guide

to

Schools of the

Delaware Valley

2018-2019

COMING

SOON

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INSIDE:

At-a-glance indexes let parents view pertinent facts about regional schools and refer to In-Depth School Profiles for sponsor schools.

MetroKids.com/GuidetoSchools

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.

MULTIPLE SITES

SWARTHMORE/MEDIA, DELAWARE COUNTY

FEDERATION EARLY LEARNING SERVICES (FELS) 10700 Jamison Ave., Phila., PA 215-676-7550 • Ages: 6 wks. – 12 yrs. • Hours: 6am – 6pm Buerger Early Learning Center: 619 N. Broad St., Phila.; 267-535-2643 Kehillah Early Learning Center: 2 Chester Rd., Wallingford; 610-872-0400 Kol Ami Early Learning Center: 8201 High School Rd., Elkins Park; 215-635-4180 K’tonton Early Learning Center: 715 Paxon Hollow Rd., Broomall; 610-325-4831 Ohev Shalom Early Learning Center: 944 Second Street Pk., Richboro; 215-322-9595 Lassin Early Learning Center: 10800 Jamison Ave., Phila.; 215-677-7191 Lokoff Early Learning Center: 1920 Skippack Pk., Blue Bell; 215-643-0110 Gutman Early Learning Center: 7500 West Ave., Melrose Park; 215-635-5570 Paley Early Learning Center: 2199 Strahle St., Phila.; 215-725-8930 105 years of experience providing high-quality programs for children ages 6 weeks – 12 years from diverse economic, religious and racial backgrounds. Built on a foundation of Jewish values - NAEYC & Keystone Stars accredited. AY, FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS*, NAEYC

SCHOOL IN ROSE VALLEY, THE 20 School Ln., Rose Valley, PA • 610-566-1088 TheSchoolinRoseValley.org • Ages: Preschool-Grade 6 • Hours: 7:30am-6pm With over 80 years of experience, The School in Rose Valley offers a progressive, Preschool – 6th Grade program committed to the development of the whole child. Full and part time enrollment options are available for Preschool and Kindergarten students.

Weekly special subjects include Woodshop, Spanish, Science, Art, Music and Sports. SRV is located on a beautiful 9.5 acre campus just minutes from Media, PA. AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, TP, PAIS

HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE DAY SCHOOL, INC. 520 Bethlehem Pike, Ft. Washington, PA 215-654-9955 • HeyDiddleDiddleDaySchool.net LITTLE DIDDLE PRESCHOOL 440 Bethlehem Pike, Ft. Washington, PA 215-565-5866 • LittleDiddlePreschool.net • Ages: 6 wks.-PreK • Hours: 7am-6pm Our school offers full-day programs. Our staff members are well-educated and experienced which enables us to give the students an educational program in a caring, nurturing environment. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS, DE

BUCKS COUNTY BRIGHT BEGINNERS ACADEMY 800 Clarmont Ave., Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020 • 267-5207200 Brightbeginnersacademy.com • Ages: 6 wks. to 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 TREVOSE DAY SCHOOL / NESHAMINY MONTESSORI 4951 Central Ave., Trevose, PA 19053 215–355-4373 • trevosedayschool.org • neshaminymontessori.org • Ages: 2.5-10 yrs.

Hours: 7am-6pm Established in 1970, our programs excel at offering state-of-the-art education in a community-minded environment. We combine interactive technology, the visual and performing arts and scientific exploration with a sustainable hands-on approach that values our planet and nurtures curiosity. Our teachers are Pennsylvania Certified Early Childhood and Elementary Education Teachers. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, TP, SN, AMS

BUCKS COUNTY KIMBERTON WALDORF SCHOOL 410 W. Seven Stars Rd. Kimberton, PA 610-933-3635 • Ages: PreK- 12th grade • Hours: 8am-3:15pm At Kimberton Waldorf School, learning is a process of discovery that engages the whole human being. Instead of passively receiving information, our students are involved in a dynamic process of exploration and experience, both of the world and of themselves. Emphasis on the breadth of skills and opportunities that we value in childhood and in adulthood provides a reminder that education needs to be designed to produce holistically developed learners who are well-equipped to navigate the challenges of life in the 21st century. We develop analytical thinkers with imaginative minds capable of producing life-changing ideas. Our students build capacities and skills of creativity, resourcefulness, collaboration, perseverance, integrity, and ethical understanding. How we teach this matters. Every aspect of Waldorf education is intentional and planned. Why we teach this way matters. At each stage of child development, students are challenged, capacities are built, foundations are set, and opportunities are given.

When we teach things matters.

MAIN LINE, DELAWARE COUNTY FRIENDS SCHOOL HAVERFORD 851 Buck Lane, Haverford, PA 19041 • 610-642-2334 Friendshaverford.org • Ages: Nursery through 8th Grade • Hours: 8:00am - 2:45pm Friends School Haverford, a co-ed Quaker school, promotes academic scholarship, creativity, respect, integrity, and self-awareness with a commitment to creating a culture and kindness.

Our unique hands-on, minds-on curriculum encourages and celebrates curiosity, imagination, and exploration. Offering a full-day kindergarten program with full- and half-day nursery school, preschool, and pre-k options. AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, PAIS

SEPTEMBER 2018

LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY OF GARNET VALLEY 1363 Naamans Creek Rd., Garnet Valley, PA 610-364-2000 • lightbridgeacademy.com/locations/Garnet-Valley-PA Ages: 6 wks. – 5 yrs. • Hours: 6:30 am – 6:30 pm Lightbridge Academy provides a high-quality educational program along with nurturing care while also supporting the needs of busy parents. Our state-ofthe-art facility offers innovative technology. Working families love the extended hours of 6:30 am-6:30 pm. AY, SP, BS, AS, SN, TP, MP, DA, DHS*

JENKINTOWN, MONTGOMERY COUNTY ABINGTON FRIENDS 575 Washington Ln., Jenkintown, PA 215-886-4350 • AbingtonFriends.net • Ages: 3 yrs.-K Hours: 8am-3pm w/ an extended-day option Our lower school early childhood program values and preserves childhood, building on the excitement and curiosity that children bring to their first school experience. Located on our beautiful 50-acre campus, our emergent curriculum program is designed to support your child’s developing independence. AY, SP, BS, AS, DHS, DE, NAEYC, PAIS

LAFAYETTE HILL, MONTGOMERY COUNTY MIQUON SCHOOL, THE 2025 Harts Lane, Conshohocken, PA 610-828-1231 • Miquon.org • Ages: 3 yrs.-12 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm Located on a wooded 11-acre campus just outside Northwest Philadelphia, Miquon is a co-educational day school offering Progressive education for children in Nursery (age three) through Sixth Grade. Our Nursery program offers full-day, 3-day, 4-day schedules and includes art, music, science, physical education and library. Miquon teachers provide a positive and nurturing environment for children to learn through play while meeting their social, emotional, cognitive and physical needs. Snacks provided. Optional van service available. AY, SP, BS, AS, PAIS

MAIN LINE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY BALA HOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL 27 Conshohocken State Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA 610-664-6767 • BalaHouse.org • Ages: 3 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8am-6pm Mixed-age classes, for ages 3 - 6 yrs., are led by sensitive, nurturing and highly qualified teachers who offer gentle guidance in an atmosphere of freedom, warmth and trust. Flexible schedules, convenient hours (7:45am to 5:45pm) and two-, three-, four-day afternoon class options are available. Art, music, gymnastics, kindergarten Spanish classes, extended care, summer camp round out our program. Some tuition assistance is available. Embracing diversity since 1969. AY, SP, DHS, DE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL AT ST. JOHN’S, THE 404 Levering Mill Rd., Bala Cynwyd, PA 610-664-4588 • Childrens-school.org • Ages: 3 mos.-K • Hours: 7am-6pm We offer a warm and creative learning environment where everyone has a “hands on” approach to learning. Our developmental approach includes music, Spanish and Tumbling Tots, Pre-K follows the Letter People Curriculum and Handwriting without Tears. Subsidized funding from the state accepted. 4-star facility with Keystone Stars. FY, SP, BS, AS, SN, DHS, DE, NAEYC

FRENCH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PHILADELPHIA 150 N. Highland Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA • 610-667-1284 frenchschoolphila.org • Ages: 3 yrs.-Grade 8 • Hours: 7:30am-6pm The French International School of Philadelphia offers a French/English bilingual program from preschool through grade 8. Our non-French speaking students develop their verbal skills in French in the younger grades as they engage in developmentally appropriate activities. New students with no prior knowledge of French are admitted at the age of 3, 4 or 5. Extended care is provided starting at 7:30am and until 6pm. Accredited by the Middle States Association and the French Department of Education. AY, AS, BS, SP, MP, DHS, MOSES

.com

MetroKids.com 31

Child Care & Early Education Directory THE HAVERFORD SCHOOL 450 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA 19041 610-642-3020 • www.haverford.org • Ages: PreK-12 Extraordinary educators prepare boys to be future-ready in a supportive learning environment designed to bring out the best in each student. Haverford strives to develop a well-balanced boy who is a high academic performer, socially and emotionally aware, and a good citizen of the School and community. Financial aid available. SP ROBERT J. WILF PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN Kaiserman JCC, 45 Haverford Rd. Wynnewood, PA 19096 610-896-7770 x118 • phillyjcc.com • Ages: 4 wks.-K2 • Hours: 8am-6pm A nurturing, child-centered environment for infants-kindergarten including gym classes, music, dance and more. We honor the uniqueness of each child, celebrating individual potential, and helping children question and discover. Teachers help children reach milestones necessary for healthy growth/ wellness. Tuition includes a family membership to the JCC. Families of all faiths welcome. Accredited by PA State Board of Private Schools. AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS* TEMPLE BETH HILLEL – BETH EL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 1001 Remington Rd., Wynnewood, PA • 610-649-2277 Tabber.org • Ages: 3 mos.-Kindergarten • Hours: 9am-3pm Programs for children 3 months to kindergarten. Working families love the 7:30am Early Care and 6:00pm Late Care. Special needs children welcome! AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS, DE WALDRON MERCY ACADEMY 513 Montgomery Ave., Merion Station, PA 19066 610-664-9847 • www.waldronmercy.org Ages: 3 yrs.-grade 8 • Hours: 8:15am-3pm Waldron Mercy Academy is a co-educational age 3 to grade 8 independent Catholic school, offering an innovative curriculum integrating academics, technology, arts, athletics and service, with a commitment to Mercy and service. WMA offers a Child Care Center and Montessori or PreSchool tracks. FY, AY, AS, BS, DA, DHS* THE WETHERILL SCHOOL 1321 Beaumont Dr., Gladwyne, PA 610-649-2299 • Wetherillschool.org Ages 2.7 yrs.-5 yrs. • Hours: 8:15am-3pm Seeks to create a warm, secure, first-school experience where the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of each child is carefully nurtured. Curriculum based on Montessori, Piaget, Reggio Emilia schools. Classroom teachers supported by specialists in Music, Spanish, Creative Movement. Full or half-day Kindergarten. Licensed by State Board of Private Academic schools. AY, SP, BS, DE

WILLOW GROVE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY KIDSPARK 23 Easton Rd. (Entrance on Davisville Rd.), Willow Grove, PA 215-657-KIDS (5437) • KidsPark.com • Ages: 18 mos.-12 yrs.

Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-10pm; Fri 7am-12pm; Sat 10am-12pm; Sun 1pm-6pm A family favorite for over 20 years! Hourly drop-in childcare for ages 18 months-12 yrs old.

Morning Preschool, birthday parties on the weekend. Arts & crafts, games, indoor climbing structure, music & stories. Days, evenings, weekends, attend meetings, run errands, exercise... while your children are safe and having fun. We accept CCIS. FY, SP, MP, AS, DA, SN, DHS, BS

Become an

CENTER CITY/SOCIETY HILL, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY BUSY BEES LEARNING CENTER INC. 601 Walnut St., #LL-25, Phila., PA 215-733-9271, 866-Be-Busy7 toll free • BusyBeesChildcare.com Ages: 6 wks.-5 yrs. • Hours: 7:30am-6pm ”What’s important to your family is just as important to ours.” A family owned and operated homey and contemporary facility in the spectacular Curtis Center overlooking Independence Park. We have a family room for nursing and visits, multicultural activities with focus on Spanish, Montessori philosophy, Parents as Partners Program, mature professional staff. Online classroom observation at Guardiancam.com. Snacks provided. FY, MP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS 762 South Broad St. Phila., PA 19146 215-844-0178 • www.ecedesigns.com • Ages: 3-12 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6pm EARLY CHILDHOOD ENVIRONMENTS provides a bilingual, multicultural program where children learn and develop socially and emotionally. Head start, pre-school and after-school programs are provided for children ages 3-12. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, TP, DHS* SOCIETY HILL SYNAGOGUE 418 Spruce Street Phila., PA 19106 • 215-922-6590 www.societyhillsynagogue.org • Ages: 2-5 yrs. • Hours: 7:45am-6pm We provide the best care for your child! Small class sizes provide a warm, nurturing classroom environment. Our goal is to get your child excited about learning! Age-appropriate curriculum with emphasis on play, socialization skills, as well as rich exposure to Jewish values. We are flexible to the needs of our families! Full-day service. AY, SP, BS/AS, DA, SN THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE OF PHILADELPHIA MONTESSORI SCHOOL 2611 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 215-570-0757 • www.phillychildrenshouse.com • Ages: 2.5-5 yrs.

Full day and half day programs available for our Primary and Toddler programs. Primary Program: morning Montessori program includes lunch,& group play. Toddler Program: explore age appropriate Montessori materials with a Montessori trained teacher. Extended Day: after-school snack followed by Montessori-inspired playgroup: build, cook, paint, etc. before going outdoors for dismissal. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, NAYEC, AMS

CHESTNUT HILL/MT. AIRY, PHILADELPHIA COUNTY HOUSE AT POOH CORNER/CHILD’S CONCEPTIONS, INC. 311 E. Walnut Lane, Phila., PA • 215-843-0815 HouseAtPoohCornerDaycare.com • Ages: 3 mos.-6 yrs. • Hours: 7:30am-6pm For over 30 years Pooh Corner has been nurturing children’s natural desire to explore by providing a safe, loving and stimulating hands-on learning environment. We are a diverse community serving children ages 3 mos.-6 yrs. All of our teachers have degrees and have been with us between 10-25 years. FY, AY, SP, DA, DHS

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MetroKids.com/ENews Resources • Advice • Community

MetroKidsMagazine 32 MetroKids.com

SEPTEMBER 2018

DAYCARE/SCHOOL

CLASSES

What’s So Great About Society Hill Synagogue Playschool?

New Classes

We provide the best care for your child!

• Small class sizes with experienced & caring staff • A wonderful “first school experience” for children aged 2-5

Our goal is to get your child excited about learning!

• Age-appropriate curriculum with emphasis on play, socialization skills, and early-childhood educational activities • Activities: yoga, cooking, science, art, music, field trips, and holiday celebrations

We are flexible to the needs of our families!

• 2, 3, 4, or 5 days a week, no potty training requirements.

• Full-day options including After-school Arts programs.

Openings Available for the 2018-2019 Academic Year

CLASSES/OTHER

Forming for Fall!

Dancers NEEDED for 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games!

Quality Dance for all Ages

Your dancer will blossom right before your eyes!

72 W. Main St., Pottstown, PA 19465 418 Spruce St • Philadelphia • PA

SocietyHillSynagogue.org

Discover the Montessori Difference Self paced, hands-on, joyful learning for children 3-6 yrs.

SCHEDULE A TOUR! Montessori Preschool Kindergarten Extended Care and Camp

610-323-2569

www.pottstowndance.com Music, Art & Laughs!

Free Intro Classes Saturday, September 15th

DRAWINGS, SONGS & SILLINESS

610-664-6767 www.balahouse.org Bala Cynwyd, PA

In the Historic Curtis Center 601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106

215-733-9271

Cameras in our classrooms provide you with online observation of your child’s day!

• Family Owned & Operated • Mature, Professional Staff • Literacy Based Curriculum • Multicultural Setting

www.busybeeschildcare.com

MrDavid.com 610 -239-8177

Boyer College of Music and Dance TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Temple Center City 1515 Market Street 5th fl., Philadelphia, PA 19102 215 204-1512 musicprep@temple.edu

Noncredit.temple.edu/musicprep (Select MUSPREP0005)

PARTIES

FESTIVALS

SCHOOLS

VOTING NOW OPEN!

Go to MetroKids.com/CoverKids this month and vote for your favorites in each age category, from babies to teens.

There are dozens of cuties to choose from, so check back to see if any of your favorites won and how their covers turned out.

MetroKids.com/coverkids SEPTEMBER 2018

Reader’s Choice MetroKids.com 33

MomSpeak

The MomSpeak Roundup

At MetroKids.com/MomSpeak we keep an eye out for the best local parenting blogs and share with you their tips, observations and humor. This month, check out these four.

The Safety of Children’s Food Pediatrician and MomSpeak blogger Katie Lockwood discusses ways to avoid additives and plastics when preparing food for your family.

A patient’s parent asked me whether she should use plastic or glass baby bottles. A recent American Academy of Pediatrics policy statement summarized some of the scientific evidence for parents and pediatricians seeking to understand the risks of exposure to plastics, as well as food additives and other chemicals that come in contact with our food. There aren’t a lot of large, well-designed studies out there, though, and data in humans is limited. This is one of many reasons that this policy statement, from Drs. Leonardo Trasande, Rachel M. Shaffer, Sheela Sathyanarayana and the Council on Environmental Health, argues that we should have more rigorous testing and regulation of food additives to ensure that we keep developing babies and children safe.

One would imagine that we currently have a system for closely monitoring the safety of the foods we eat. However, the current Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which was written in 1938 and last updated in 1958, is not only outdated, but also has some big problems. Most food additives come to the market with a designation of “generally regarded as safe” and thus do not need to be studied for their impact on human health. One would hope, though, that the FDA would evaluate the data and reassess the safety of food additives, but they do not have the authority to study chemicals already on the market.

Why are kids at particular risk? For one, children have greater dietary exposure to food additives. Also, since their organ systems are still developing, they are more vulnerable to the effects of toxins and may have disruptions in hormone levels that impact their growing bodies. Furthermore, there are sociodemographic differences in that low-income and minority children are disproportionately exposed to food additives. If you don’t believe me, browse the snack aisle of your local corner store.

So what’s a parent with a cabinet full of Goldfish and plastic water bottles to do? Before you start purging your kitchen, here is a summary of the tips that the policy statement’s authors offer as a starting point: • Prioritize consumption of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables • Avoid processed meats, especially during pregnancy • Avoid microwaving food or beverages in plastic, if possible

34 MetroKids.com

• Avoid placing plastics in the dishwasher • Use alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible • Look at the recycling code on the bottom of products to find the plastic type and avoid plastics with codes 3, 6, and 7 unless labeled as “biobased” or “greenware,” indicating that they are made from corn and do not contain bisphenols.

• Encourage hand-washing before handling foods and/or drinks, and wash all fruits and vegetables that cannot be peeled.

This policy statement guides consumers in making more educated choices for their families and urges the government to make changes in our legislation and oversight of food additives.

What we should all take from this is that we need to advocate for our children until we can be confident that our food is safe.

As for the parent’s question about plastic baby bottles, I reassured them that bisphenol A (BPA) was removed from baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, but as we know, we have much more to learn. I used glass bottles with my second child after reading some of the literature on endocrine disruptors, but plastic continues to be pervasive in our lives. We all make the best choices we can and some of us are fortunate enough to have this choice.

Katie Lockwood, MD, is a mother and pediatrician in Philadelphia and a contributor to MetroKids’ MomSpeak through her Mommy Call blog. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of her employer. This article is also being published in the September/October 2018 issue of QVNA Magazine. It has been reprinted with permission.

More MomSpeak Kids on the Internet

Kids and internet privacy is a huge issue, notes Lisa Lightner of ADayinOurShoes.com.

“What about kids with disabilities? They deserve even more protection. And more and more I am finding scenarios when it is their own parents who have not protected them. All in the name of ‘advocating.’“ See Lisa’s response to this well-intended attitude.

Ready for Kindergarten?

“Is your child emotionally ready for kindergarten?” asks Katie Chiavarone of ViewsFromaStepstool.com.

Katie gives 10 questions to ask your rising kindergartener to see how ready he is.

When Organization Fails

“Hopefully I’m about to blow the lid off any mom-guilt you might be harboring,” says professional organizer Darla DeMorrow of HeartWorkOrg.com about how even the best laid plans to make mornings go smoothly can still go awry.

SEPTEMBER 2018

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SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, OCTOBER 13-28* A fun, fall family event at Dutch Wonderland, featuring the Trick-or-Treat Trail, with over 20 lifelike dinosaurs! *Weather permitting

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