MetroKids - 0819 SJ

30 YEARS

August 2019 | FREE

Drinking

Water

HAZARDS Last Days of

SUMMER

FUN!

CONTEST

Best Spots to Pick Fruit

Video Games at School?

How to Prevent Abuse • Accessible Beaches in NJ and DE

Empowering Kids Through The Arts Kelsey Theatre 2019-2020 Season of Special Shows for Kids

Thumbelina ANNIE The Movie Sing-Along Rosie Revere, Engineer Frozen Jr. Chicken Dance Treasure Island The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Purchase all 7 Shows and Save over 35%! $61 adult, $53 senior, $53 Child/Student Plus Special Events: ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas & The Nutcracker

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mk Inside

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

In This Issue 4 Accessible Beaches in NJ and DE 6 Esports Become School Sports 11 Is Your School’s Water Safe?

17 Meet Our CoverKid SpecialKids 8 How to Prevent Abuse 10 Schools for Students with Complex Needs

5 Education; 13 Child Care

6 WHAT’S INSIDE:

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

14

Family Fun 14 Day-by-Day Calendar 18 U-Pick Tips and Spots Ad Sections

Looking for the BEST school for your child?

August 2019 Vol. 24, No. 8

AVAILABLE

SEPTEMBER 2019

20

PARENTS: Sign-up to receive updates on our 2018-19 Guide to Schools at MetroKids.com/GuidetoSchools or email info@metrokids.com Schools interested in participation contact Darlene Weinmann at sales@metrokids.com or 215-291-5560

On Our Cover

CoverKids winner Liam H. of Glen Mills, PA

Photos by Expressions Photography — Yorklyn, DE; photosbyexpressions.com

Quality Counts

Rooted in Tradition, Progressive Early Learning

Infant & Toddler Programs

Creative Curriculum®

Flexible Preschool Programs

STEAM Curriculum

Pre-Kindergarten

Jewish Values & Traditions

Transitional Kindergarten

Swim Lessons, Gym, Music & Art

Full Day Kindergarten

Tadpoles: Daily Digital Parent Reports

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MomSpeak

mk smart. local. parenting.

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

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

Accessible Beaches

New Jersey and Delaware shore towns with walkways and sand wheelchairs make it easier for people with mobility issues to get closer to the water.

Do you know someone who would love to go to the beach, but the trek across the sand is too difficult, either because of age or disability?

Lisa Lightner, who runs A Day in Our Shoes and is one of our MomSpeak bloggers, found accessible walkways and beach wheelchairs a great convenience when she went to Sea Isle City, NJ and Rehoboth, DE with her son last year.

“They were such a lifesaver and patience-saver,” she says. “Dragging my son’s chair across a hot, sandy beach really sucks the life out of me and deters me from going at all.”

So she set out to make a list of all the local beaches that provide similar services.

“I’m looking for one big thing — a ramp that goes a significant way down toward the ocean,” she writes. “Sometimes they are wooden, other times they are this plastic or rubber material called a Mobi Mat. “If they have the beach wheelchairs, that’s a huge bonus.”

Here are the beaches she found that offer walkways, sand wheelchairs or both.

We’ve added Diamond Beach, between Wildwood and Cape May, which is a private beach, but resorts like Icona sell day passes that include sand wheelchairs and a ride on a four-wheeler to your spot on the sand. See Metrokids.com/accessiblebeaches for details on each location.

New Jersey Asbury Park • Atlantic City • Avalon • Barnegat Light • Beach Haven • Belmar Island Beach State Park • Diamond Beach • Lavellette • Long Branch Twp. North Wildwood • Ocean City • Seaside Heights • Sea Isle City • Ship Bottom Wildwood • Wildwood Crest • Windward Beach

Delaware Bethany Beach • Cape Henlopen State Park • Delaware Seashore State Park Dewey Beach • Fenwick Island • Rehoboth Beach 4 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: ext. 100 marketing@metrokids.com Interns: Colleen Claggett, Rose Destra, Emma Kuliczkowski, Jacob Orndorff, Sally Tan, Sawyer Thomson

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We welcome your ideas and feedback. Write us at editor@metrokids.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and Instagram.

MetroKids® is published monthly by KidStuff Publications, Inc. © 2019 MetroKids® Magazine. All rights reserved by KidStuff Publications, Inc. ISSN 1094-8503. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Publisher is not responsible for unsolicited material. MetroKids® or KidStuff Pub­lica­t­ions do not assume responsibility for statements or opinions expressed by editorial contributors or advertisers. MetroKids® and SpecialKids® are trademarks of KidStuff Publications, Inc. The acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement of the products, services or information. We do not knowingly present any product or service which is fraudulent or misleading in nature. Advertisers indemnify and hold harmless the publisher from any claim and all loss, expense, or liability arising out of the publication of any advertisement.

SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S.A. $36, one year; $72, two years. Single copies free.

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Education

Video games move from the family room to the classroom as esports go to school.

By Rose Destra For many families, mid-August marks the start of practices for fall sports, when teens put down their video-game controllers and pick up their pads and cleats.

But some video gamers just trade in one game pad for another, as schools in the Philadelphia suburbs, New Jersey and across the country create esports teams within their schools with coaches, competitions against other schools, regular practices and, sometimes, the same academic and attendance requirements other student athletes face.

Costs for the team are essentially free because the laptops are provided by the school and games are provided at a discount by gaming platforms like STEAM. If a team member misses too much school, too many practices or fails to maintain a C average, he can be put on academic probation until grades or behavior improve.

Schools choose the games in which they want their students to compete. Mason Mullerioux, CEO of High School Esports League (HSEL), which includes over 1,500 high schools, says games range from first-person shooter to multiplayer fighting-style games. Schools that don’t want students to play games that involve violence can choose other competitions such as Rocket League, which is like soccer with cars.

“They can pick and choose what to play, if their school doesn’t want to be associated with a CS-GO (Counter-Strike Global Offensive) or Call of Duty, then they don’t have to be,” he says.

Social, educational, career benefits

While video games have been popular at-home entertainment for years, electronic sports, or esports, have grown to become a legitimate spectator sport as well. People watch competitions in person or through streaming services like Twitch, where viewership reaches well over 100 million per month. Comcast Spectator plans to build an esports arena at the sports complex in South Philadelphia where the Eagles, Phillies, Sixers and Flyers have homes of their own.

Since there are no tryouts, esports teams offer an option for students of all genders and physical abilities who may not be interested in traditional sports, but who would benefit from an extracurricular activity.

“One student would show up and just want to talk about his life for a half hour before playing games, so I knew this club was important to him,” says Coach Uvaldo Garcia from Duncan Polytechnical High School in Fresno, CA. The team aspect is important. Kids aren’t simply isolated with headphones plugged in.

“Our club meetings are anything but sedentary,” says Coach Ronald Pizzini at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, PA. “Students are walking around the room, cheering on their peers, and jumping up and down when something noteworthy happens.”

Esports = team sports

For schools, however, esports is less about professional gaming and more about teaching the leadership, communication, teamwork and other skills found through athletic competition.

Some schools adopt esports as a club activity while others create teams under the athletic department. Both play and compete online or in person, but the latter requires students to maintain the same standards for GPA, attendance and behavior as other student athletes.

Coach Chris Aviles from Knollwood Middle School in Fair Haven, NJ, leads one of the country’s first middle school esports teams under the school’s athletic department. Aside from practice every Monday and Wednesday for an hour, students compete against other schools as well as college teams, including Rutgers University.

6 MetroKids.com

Just as the vast majority of high school basketball players won’t make the NBA, most esports players won’t become professional gamers. However, the infrastructure that supports the gaming industry is a source of STEM careers.

continued on p. 17 AUGUST 2019

The perfect balance of learning and play

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Safe, nurturing environment Enthusiastic and caring teachers Links to Learning curriculum Ongoing parent communication

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Are You Looking CONTACT US! for Child Care in Camden County?

The Department of Children’s Services is here to assist you with: 

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AUGUST 2019

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Department of Children’s Services 856.374.6376 children@camdencounty.com MetroKids.com 7

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SpecialKids

Reduce the Risk for Abuse Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, are far more likely to be abused by someone they know than a stranger.

Because they may be perceived as an “easy target,” the likelihood of abuse is four to 10 times higher than in typically developing peers and it is more likely to occur repeatedly, over longer periods of time, and is presumed to be underreported.

Alyssa Siegel, MD, offers these tips to keep a child with Down syndrome, or other special needs, safer and what to do if your child does suffer abuse.

By Alyssa Siegel

Know your child’s contacts

Get to know all the people who work with your child at home, school, therapy sessions and recreational activities. For caregivers or therapists that you hire privately, gather as much information as possible, including educational, employment and criminal history.

If they worked for reputable institutions, it is likely that thorough background checks were done at that time. Investigate references to assure satisfaction in previous employment and departure on good terms. If the position requires professional certification, verify authentic licensure. Be sure that the prospective hire can explain any time gaps on his or her resume.

For center-based staff, including teachers, make impromptu visits and observe interactions before your child knows you are present.

Educate your child early

Talk to your child about boundaries with regards to words and touch. Revisit important concepts as your child’s developmental ability and level of understanding changes. Outline the roles of the adults in your child’s life and explain how they are expected to speak and behave with your child.

Review forms of discipline, who can impose a punishment, and what types of punishments are acceptable. Review the correct names of body parts. Indicate which body parts are private and when/where touching is OK. Talk about when and where it is OK to remove clothing or show private body parts.

Recently, pictures that demonstrate acts of abuse and sexual anatomy have been added to some communication boards used by non-verbal individuals to help them understand and disclose acts of abuse.

Describe sexual abuse in all its forms

Sexual abuse can include inappropriate talk, touch, or pictures, as well as being asked or forced to say, show or do something that

8 MetroKids.com

is uncomfortable. Be sure to discuss that unwanted behavior can come from someone you child knows or a stranger. Talk about how to recognize whether sexual feelings are mutual or one-sided. Explain your child’s domain over her own body and her right to say “No” to anything that feels intrusive.

Promote a ‘no secrets’ policy at home

Create a comfortable and supportive environment for your child to communicate openly. As your child gets older, this should include open discussions about romantic feelings, sexual urges and relationships. Reinforce that being the victim of unwanted behavior is not a secret, even if the child has promised not to tell.

Recognize signs of abuse

Evidence of abuse may be either physical or behavioral. Be sure that there is a plausible explanation for any marks or bruises, broken bones or head injuries. Behavior changes may be subtle and non-specific, but changes in mood, eating habits or sleep, avoidance of school or social situations, or change in response to a specific place or person, may be worrisome.

Abuse may also cause a halt or regression in academic or social progress. Do not accept the suggestion that unusual new behaviors are “part of Down syndrome.” If you are concerned, or not quite sure if you should be, speak to your primary care physician for immediate guidance.

“Explain to your child the roles of the adults in his life and how they are expected to speak and behave with him.”

Don’t underestimate advocacy

Advocacy organizations, such as The Arc, strive to educate families and the general public about issues important to individuals with Down syndrome and are champions for improved public policy at federal and local levels. The community of parents, medical, legal and educational professionals that dedicate their efforts to expose and address abuse should continue to receive support.

The increase in opportunities for self-advocacy have also empowered teens and young adults with Down syndrome to show the world their strengths and hear their voices. These efforts help to diminish the perceived imbalance of power that abusers exploit as they target individuals with Down syndrome.

Alyssa Siegel, MD, is an attending physician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which published the original version of this article through its Trisomy 21 Program on Sept. 20, 2018.

AUGUST 2019

Join our team.

Great opportunity for recent grad!

MetroKids is seeking a

Digital Media

Marketing Coordinator Candidates should: •Possess excellent oral and written communication skills •Have experience in social media composition and analytics •Crave a busy, deadline-driven environment •Master multitasking •Be a stickler for details Send cover letter and resume to

HOSPITALITY. RESPECT. QUALITY. RESPONSIBILITY. SPIRITUALITY.

An academic and experiential education for your exceptional child.

dweinmann@metrokids.com

AUGUST 2019

MetroKids.com 9

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2019-2020 SURVEY OF SCHOOLS SERVING STUDENTS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS

These schools serve students who have complex needs for a variety of physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Use the key to learn which support and other services they offer as well as which special needs they serve. More information about each school can be found online at MetroKids.com/ specialneedsschools.

SUPPORT SERVICES = Medical staff/Nursing = Counseling = Art Therapy = Music Therapy = Aquatic Therapy = Horse Therapy OT = Occupational Therapy PT = Physical Therapy ST = Speech Therapy

KEY

OTHER SERVICES = Residential = Extended Day = Summer Program = Transportation

XXX = Enrollment

ASP AUT CP COM DD EMO EP

SPECIAL NEEDS SERVED

Asperger syndrome Autism Cerebral palsy Communication/social disorder Developmental disability Emotional/behavioral disorder Epilepsy/seizure disorder

HI LD MD NI PDD PHY VI

TUITION

FA Funding Available from state and local districts for qualifying students.

Hearing impairment/deaf Learning disability/ADHD Muscular dystrophy Neurological impairment Pervasive development disorder Physical disability Visual impairment/blind

PRIV Private Pay

Archway Programs, Waterford, NJ (Lower School), Evesham, NJ (Upper School); Archwayprograms.org; Ages 3-21; 210 FA; COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD, PHY, VI Bancroft School at Voorhees Pediatric Facility, The, Voorhees, NJ; Bancroft.org; Ages 3-21; 70 FA; PDD, VI Bellwether Behavioral Health, Swedesboro, NJ; Bellbh.com; Ages 8+; 100 FA, PRIV; LD, NI, PDD

; ;

Bancroft School Early Education, The, Cherry Hill, NJ; Bancroft.org; Ages 3-9; 38 FA, PRIV; ;

Brookfield Schools, Cherry Hill, NJ; Brookfieldschools.org; Ages 5-21; 133 FA;

;

; ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, NI, PDD, PD, VI

; ASP, AUT, EMO, LD

Individual education, equine therapy and biofeedback for those with multiple and/or severe emotional and learning challenges.

;

; CP, DD, EMO, HI, LD, MD, NI,

; AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, NI, PDD, PHY, VI

Garfield Park Academy, Willingboro, NJ; Garfieldparkacademy.org; Ages 5-21; 160 FA; HollyDELL, Inc., Sewell, NJ; Hollydell.org; Ages 3-adult; 72 FA;

; ASP, AUT,

; ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, EP, HI, ;

Bancroft School, The, Mount Laurel, NJ; Bancroft.org; Ages 8-21; 230 FA, PRIV;

;

;

; ASP, AUT, COM, DD, EMO, LD, NI, PDD

; CP, DD, HI, LD, MD, NI, PHY, VI

Individualized services to educate and instill independence in those with physical challenges and communication & developmental disabilities.

Kingsway Learning Center, Elementary, Voorhees, NJ; Kingswaylearningcenter.org; Ages 5-14; 160 FA; EMO, EP, HI, LD, MD, PDD

;

; AUT, CP, COM, DD,

Kingsway Learning Center, Secondary, Voorhees, NJ; Kingswaylearningcenter.org; Ages 14-21; 100 FA; EMO, EP, HI, LD, MD, NI, PDD

;

; ASP, AUT, COM, CP, DD,

Larc School, Bellmawr, NJ; Larcschool.org; Ages-21; FA;

;

; AUT, DD, LD

Family-like environment and community-based instruction for South Jersey residents with moderate to severe disabilities.

St. John of God Community Svcs., Archbishop Damiano School, Westville Grove, NJ; ADSSchool.org; Ages 3-21; 180 FA; EMO, LD, NI, PHY, VI Sensory experiences enhance education for those with autism and moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Make This the BEST

Summer

Yet!

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;

; AUT, CP, DD,

’ Summer Fun promotion helps bring families together with free events,

special deals to local venues, tickets to top regional attractions and even trips!

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Health

Safe Water in Schools Has your school tested its water for lead? How can you find out?

By Terri Akman You might have encouraged your kids to drink plenty of water this summer, since hydration has become such an important health recommendation. But once they return to school, how do you know if the water that comes from the fountain is safe? How do you know if it has even been tested?

Since the 2015 discovery of lead in drinking water in Flint, MI, the safety of the water our children get while at school, from drinking fountains to taps used in food preparation, has come under more scrutiny.

The biggest culprit of unsafe water in schools is lead that leaches from old or rusted pipes. Lead — which can cause health issues from attention deficits to lower IQ’s — can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. While newer schools, built in the ‘80s or later, may be less likely to have lead, that’s not a guarantee.

“Any school that’s on municipal water can generally rest assured that most other contaminants have been dealt with by the town or city,” says Stephanie Wein, clean water and conservation advocate for the Penn Environment Research and Policy Center. “But lead is different because it needs to be dealt with at the building level.”

The health dangers from lead

For children, the consequences of lead don’t show up immediately, so it can continue to build in their systems unnoticed.

Long-term health issues include an inability to pay attention, lower IQ, hearing problems and anemia, says Jonathan Miller, medical director for value-based care at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, DE. High levels of lead can cause acute symptoms that include belly pain, irritability and, in

severe cases, seizures or even death.

“Most children with lead will have no acute symptoms, especially at the low levels,” says Miller. “Short-term symptoms, like belly pain and irritability, are reversible with acute treatment of lead intoxication, but once a child has been exposed, the long-term consequences — lower IQ and attention deficits — are not reversible.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends universal screening for lead (through a blood test) for all children at age one and even younger for children at high risk of lead exposure. Those children are screened again at two years old.

“It’s ironic that kids could be getting brain damage in the very place they go to learn and grow,” says Wein. “They are our most vulnerable population and it is easy to test the water and solve the problem.”

Current test requirements

Despite the health consequences of lead found in the drinking water, there is a lack of both testing and reporting. As of last year, only 10 states, including New Jersey, require water tests in schools.

Pennsylvania is among 17 states with voluntary programs. If a Pennsylvania school chooses not to test for lead, it must discuss lead issues in school facilities at a public meeting once a year.

Delaware state law does not require schools served by a community water system to test drinking water for lead.

If a school is supplied water through its own wells, then it is required to test for lead. Water fountains are not specifically required, but may be included in the testing.

In 2018, the Government Accountability Office reported that of all the US public schools that reported test results, more than a third found elevated levels of lead in the previous two years. But only 43

percent of all schools had even checked for lead in their water.

Get the lead out

That lack of reporting earned Pennsylvania an F and New Jersey a C minus in the Get the Lead Out Report by Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund. (Delaware was not part of the report.) “The grade is not for the amount of lead in the water, it’s about the policies,” says Wein.

“On a national level there are no federal standards for lead in drinking water in schools.”

The Center is calling for the three T’s: test, treat and tell. “Test the water for lead presence, treat to bring the level of lead down and tell by disclosing to parents and the community what has been found and what’s being done about it,” Wein says.

In 2016, all New Jersey school districts were required to test water outlets, including drinking fountains and taps used in food preparation, and post the results on the district’s website, says Chris Sturm, managing director of water and policy for New Jersey Future. If lead was found, they were to send the report to the Department of Education.

Not every district complied, but of the results available, lead was found in school drinking water across the state in rural, suburban and urban school districts.

“There seemed to be a pattern of more instances in large, older districts and we found that over 300 schools had at least one outlet testing positive,” Sturm says.

“It seems districts were doing a good job of posting results online, describing efforts they took to take those outlets out of use.”

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agree that

continued on next page AUGUST 2019

MetroKids.com 11

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Health

Continued

there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood, though Pennsylvania schools are only required to report levels of lead in water above 15 parts per billion. The EPA and CDC recommend states and communities replace fountains, faucets and other plumbing that contains lead and keep lead levels below 1 part per billion for school drinking water.

The groups also recommend the federal government enforce and strengthen federal rules to protect drinking water from lead and provide money to help states and communities remove sources of lead.

What parents can do

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To find out if your school has been tested for lead in the city of Philadelphia, go to the school district’s website, Philasd. org. The results of the test and any follow-up actions are listed there, says Wein. In the suburbs, parents can ask their school district, but if they don’t get a satisfactory answer, they can file a Freedom of Information request.

In NJ, parents can go to their school district’s website, where the report is required to be posted. If the school hasn’t done testing, parents should insist on having it done, says Sturm. In last November’s election, the Securing our Children’s Future Fund Act bond referendum approved $500 million, of which $100 million is dedicated to water infrastructure improvements in school district buildings. How and where that money will be spent is under consideration.

In Delaware, parents should contact the school directly, says Keith Mensch, director of the DPH Office of Drinking Water.

“Parents, or any member of the public, who has concerns or wants to know the risk of lead in drinking water should review the water system’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, which will include lead testing information and results,” says Mensch.

“Parents who may be concerned about the risk of lead in the school’s drinking water can approach the school about testing.”

If parents have concerns because their school has not tested its water, in the short-term, they can send their children to school with water from home. Another solution, though less immediate, is for parents to help raise funds for filtered drinking fountains or water refilling stations. Similar to those seen at airports and other public places, they are certified lead free and allow students to use their own water bottles “We know our schools want to do their best by our kids,” says Wein. “That’s why we need state policy, so schools have clear expectations, so they know they’re doing what’s best for students, and so they can show they’re testing and complying.

“Parents should ask their state representative to support more comprehensive legislation that will give best practices to schools for a critical long-term fix.”

Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.

AUGUST 2019

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Child Care & Early Education Directory

FY: Full Year AY: Academic Year SP: Summer Program MP: Meals Provided

BS: Before School AS: After School DA: Diapers Accepted TP: Transportation Provided

SN: Special Needs DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Svcs.

DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.

NAEYC: Accredited—National Assoc. of Education of Young Children PAIS: Accredited—PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited—Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools AMS: Accredited—American Montessori Society

* Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually.

BURLINGTON COUNTY BEGINNINGS AT MFS: THE MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL - EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 856-914-4428 • MFriends.org Ages: 3 & up • Hours: 8:05am-3:10pm Beginnings at MFS: The Moorestown Friends School Early Childhood Program offers a values-based education for 3-year-olds and up. A project-based approach to learning and wide range of special subject areas are hallmarks of the experience. Moorestown Friends School is one of the only schools in the United States to offer a Coding Program to all Lower School students - Preschool through Grade 4. This innovative program has three strands: coding, problem solving and teamwork. These skills will be in high demand as the 21st century progresses. Half-day and fullday Preschool is available. Prekindergarten and Kindergarten are full-day programs. AY, SP, BS, AS, MSCES ESSENTIAL BEGINNINGS LEARNING CENTER 1329 Rte. 38, Hainsport, NJ 609-667-7838 • Essentialbeginningslc.com info@essentialbeginningslc.com Ages: 2-1/2 yrs.-13 yrs. • Hours 6:30am - 6:00pm Essential Beginnings embraces the differentiation approach to teaching. This method ensures that all children can learn the content based on their learning style. FY, AY, SP, SN, DYF FUTURE SCHOLARS EARLY LEARNING CENTER 1351 Rte. 38 W., B-1, Hainesport, NJ 609-518-1333 • FutureScholarsLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6:30pm “Where Generations Come and Grow” Full- and halfday classes available year round. Family-owned and operated with an owner on premises daily. Offering Infant & Toddler Care, PreSchool, Drop-In Hourly Daycare, Established Full-Day Kindergarten, Before- and After-School Care with bussing for township students, Private Tutoring and Summer Camp! We are your onestop solution for early education and child care! STOP

BY TODAY FOR A TOUR! FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DYF

OUR LADY OF GOOD COUNSEL EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER 32 W. Main St., Moorestown, N 856-235-5371 • school@olgcnj.org • Olgcnj.org/school Ages: 4 yrs.-6 yrs. • Hours: 8:30am-3pm Our Lady of Good Counsel School features full- and half-day pre-kindergarten programs, as well as full-day kindergarten. Children in first through eighth grades are educated in a top-notch, Catholic school environment, where our mission to form students in the image of Jesus Christ is reinforced daily. We provide education in music, art, specialized clubs, sports, after-school enrichment programs such as Lego Robotics and Latin, Spanish, technology, and physical education. Students do not need to be Catholic to attend our school. Please call to arrange a tour. Financial aid and volunteer opportunities available. AY, SP, AS

CAMDEN COUNTY BEECHWOOD SCHOOL, PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN 441 Beechwood Ave., Haddonfield, NJ 856-429-0303 • TheBeechwoodSchool.com Ages: 2½ yrs.-K Preschool, Kindergarten, Childcare. Beechwood School is a family-owned, independent, state-licensed school since 1951. We offer both half-day and full-day classes year round for children 2½ through kindergarten. Call for a tour. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DYF PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHERRY HILL 1875 Rt. 70 East., Cherry Hill, NJ 856-242-0034 • Primrosecherryhill.com Ages: 6 wks.-Pre-K • Hours: 6:30am to 6:00pm Primrose Schools® is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and child care experience for children and families. Our Franchise Owners, Leadership Teams and School Staff partner with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and in life. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, MP, DA, SN, NAEYC SARI ISDANER EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AT THE KATZ JCC 1301 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 856-424-4444 • KatzJCC.org/ECE Ages: 6 wks.-K • Hours: 6:45am-6:15pm, M-Th; 6pm, F The Sari Isdaner Early Childhood Center at the Katz JCC is an award-winning program and leader in early childhood education. We offer full day infant/toddler care as of six weeks old, nursery school, preschool, full day certified Kindergarten, pre-K and transitional Kindergarten.

FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DHS*, DE, NAEYC

SOUTH JERSEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 406 Church Rd., Sicklerville, NJ 856-728-2001 • Sjchristianacademy.org Ages: PK - 7th Grade • Hours: 8:15am-3pm M-F South Jersey Christian Academy offers an affordable Christian education for students, Preschool through 7th Grade, in the South Jersey area. We educate today’s children to be tomorrow’s Christian leaders. AY, BS, AS

BUCKS COUNTY BRIGHT BEGINNERS ACADEMY 800 Clarmont Ave., Suite A, Bensalem, PA 19020 267-520-7200 • Brightbeginnersacademy.com Ages: 6 wks.- 6 yrs. • Hours: 6:45am - 6pm Our preschool is designed to meet the needs of every child in a developmentally inclusive setting. Our program encourages progress at a child’s own pace and according to individual needs and abilities. Play-based learning centers for math, science, dramatic play, blocks, music, creative art and technology provide opportunities to balance and stimulate both shared and independent learning experiences. Private pay and subsidized funding accepted, infant and toddler care available. Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, AY, SP, DA, SN, DHS*, DE

GLOUCESTER COUNTY BUILDING BLOCKS CHILDCARE Applewood Dr., Logan Township 856-975-6247 • Buildingblockscc.vpweb.com Ages: 6 wks-12 yrs • Hours: 24 hours Building Blocks Childcare is a 24-hr. home care facility.

We have daily age-appropriate activities. We also go on local trips to the park and library, as well as field trips.

We are very flexible and have rates from daily to rates that include overtime. We also accept Rutgers vouchers.

Rutgers Resource and Referral. FY, MP, BS, AS, DA, TP, SN HOLDING HANDS FAMILY CHILD CARE & PLAY CENTER 138 Tomlin Station Rd., Mullica Hill, NJ 856-467-6811 • Holdinghandspreschool.com Ages: Infant-School Age • Hours: 6am-6:30pm A place for families providing exceptional care, engaged learning and everyday play. A full-service center in a new facility with a gym, three playgrounds, access control system and video monitoring. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS*

What are you looking for?

CHILDCARE

Find more information in our Online Childcare Directory

MetroKids.com/ChildCare AUGUST 2019

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Family Fun

Join the butterfly & bug parade during the Butterfly Festival in Pennington, Aug. 4.

AUGUST

DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR

Special needs event Baby Parade

Aug. 9

Editor's Pick

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

1 Thursday

Movie in the Park: Wreck-It Ralph at Knight Park, Collingswood. FREE

2 Friday

Movie Night: Lego Movie 2 at the Woolwich Municipal Building, Woolwich Twp. FREE Movie on the Beach: Space Jam at Presidential Lakes Park, Pemberton. FREE Tom Sawyer at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. $$$$

3 Saturday

Down on the Farm

Aug. 10 & 11

Battle at the Beach Grappling Tournament at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood.

This mixed-martial-arts competition includes contestants of all ages. $$$ Beach Sports Weekend at Morey's Piers, Wildwood. FREE Butterfly Festival at the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association, Pennington. Enjoy exhibits, kids’ activities, an insect zoo, hayrides, nature walks and a butterfly & bug parade. $$$ Classic Car Show at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. $$$

Civil War Saturday at Fort Mifflin, Phila. Commemorate the fort’s role as a federal prison during the war via weapon & cannon demos and guided tours. $$ Craft Beer and Crab Festival at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. While parents try a variety of craft beer and cocktails, all ages can check out live music, crafts and a Victorian circus. FREE Downtown Wildwood Rib-Off Festival at Byrne Plaza, Wildwood. In addition to a rib-off contest, enjoy family activities, wine & craft beer tastings and line-dancing lessons. FREE Fine Arts and Peach Festival at the Riverton Estates, Riverton. Browse handmade sketches, painting, glasswork, soap and beadwork & indulge in fruity desserts. FREE Just Peachy Festival at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Pick-your-own fruit, wagon rides, face painting, live music and pony rides are part of the fun. $$ Tom Sawyer at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. $$$$

4 Sunday

2nd Street Festival on North 2nd Street, Phila.

The Northern Liberties neighborhood is the backdrop for performances and 150-plus food, drink & merchandise vendors. FREE

Harlem Globetrotters

Aug. 14-18

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See MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information on these and other events.

AUGUST 2019

ACANA African Festival on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Phila. Watch performances by music & dance troupes form across the continent and shop for traditional & modern crafts. FREE Antique Fire Apparatus Show at Cooper River Park, Pennsauken.

See “Fan of,” p. 16. FREE Beach Sports Weekend at Morey's Piers, Wildwood. See Aug. 3.

FREE Downtown Wildwood Rib-Off Festival at Byrne Plaza, Wildwood. See Aug. 3. FREE Just Peachy Festival at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. See Aug. 3. $$ Tom Sawyer at the Kelsey Theatre, West Windsor. $$$$

6 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Peaches at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, pick a container of the fruit to take home. $$

7 Wednesday

Breakfast with the Pirates at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. Set out on a treasure hunt after the meal. $$$$ Egyptian Mummy Makers Workshop at the Penn Museum, Phila.

Discover why Egyptians mummified the dead and learn how the process works. $$$ Movie Night: Mary Poppins Returns at Chestnut Branch Park, Sewell. FREE National Lighthouse Day at Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City.

See "Hidden Holiday," right. $$ National Lighthouse Day at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, North Wildwood. See “Hidden Holiday,” right. FREE National Lighthouse Day at the Cape May Lighthouse, Lower Twp. See “Hidden Holiday,” right. $$

9 Friday

Baby Parade on the boardwalk, Ocean City. FREE Car Cruise at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville.

FREE The Ghostly Circus at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Phila. This paranormal performance features aerial performers, a theatrical sideshow and live music. $$$$ Kidchella Music Festival at Smith Memorial Playground, Phila.

The Not-Its and Lucy Kalantari take the stage. $$

HIDDEN HOLIDAY

National Lighthouse Day is Aug. 7! Atlantic City marks the occasion with live music, wine tasting and free climbs for ages 11 & younger. Festivities at the Cape May Lighthouse in Lower Twp. include craft vendors & meetand-greets with keepers. And North Wildwood’s Hereford Inlet Lighthouse brings guest speakers to help celebrate.

The Ghostly Circus at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Phila. See Aug. 9. $$$$ Grow Up Great at the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza, Phila. Kids are introduced to jazz and musical theatre. FREE Jazz and Wine Festival at Byrne Plaza, Wildwood. Expect live music, fun for kids and wine & beer tastings. FREE Jus Nice Sneaker Convention at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. FREE Living History Encampment at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. Explore military and civilian camps with marching drills and musket-firing demos. FREE Peach, Princess and Pirate Celebration at Camden Children’s Garden, Camden. Kids are encouraged to come in costume to enjoy crafts and a treasure hunt. $$

11 Sunday

Movie in the Park: Raiders of the Lost Ark at Knight Park, Collingswood. FREE

Baseball on the Beach between Andrews & Rio Grande Aves., Wildwood. FREE

Movie Night: Mary Poppins Returns at the Swedesboro Auction Block, Swedesboro. FREE

Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. See Aug. 10. $$$

10 Saturday

Baseball on the Beach between Andrews & Rio Grande Aves., Wildwood. FREE Bug Fest at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Chat with scientists, see insects from around the world and get your face painted. $$$ Down on the Farm at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Check out the trades and crafts of South Jersey’s early American farming community. $$$

AUGUST 2019

Down on the Farm at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. See Aug. 10. $$$ Living History, Encampment at Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville. See Aug. 10. FREE Peach, Princess and Pirate Celebration at Camden Children’s Garden, Camden. See Aug. 10. $$

13 Tuesday

Fairy Tale Breakfast at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. Don fairy wings for face painting and a buffet meal. $$$$

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Family Fun Geocaching Workshop at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Find out the basics of the sport, then try what you’ve learned. $$ Harlem Globetrotters at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$ Small Explorers Program at the New Jersey State Museum, Trenton. Check out the Jersey Crocs Rule exhibit and engage in hands-on activities. FREE

18 Sunday

Baseball on the Beach between Andrews & Rio Grande Aves., Wildwood. FREE

FAN OF . . . FIREFIGHTERS

Celebrate firefighters’ work and what it takes to do the job during two events: On Aug. 4, the Antique Fire Apparatus Show at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken features antique and modern vehicle displays, a flea market and fire-safety demos. WheatonArts in Millville plays host to the Fire Muster and Firefighters' Family Day Aug. 16, complete with 80-plus antique fire trucks, a water-barrel battle and a firefighters’ skill competition.

14 Wednesday

Folktale Fun with Tahira at the Penn Museum, Phila. $$$ Harlem Globetrotters at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$ Movie Night: Incredibles 2 at the Riverwinds Community Center, West Deptford.

FREE

15 Thursday

Harlem Globetrotters at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$ Movie in the Park: The incredibles at Knight Park, Collingswood. FREE Night Skies in the Observatory at the Franklin Institute, Phila. Catch a planetarium show and space out during astronomy activities. $$

16 Friday

Family Fun Night at Lindenwold Park, Lindenwold. Watch a magic show, followed by a screening of Wonder Park. FREE

Harlem Globetrotters at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. $$$$ Kids and Critters Preschool Program: What Lives in Water? at the Plainsboro Preserve, Cranbury. Little ones are introduced to nature via stories, an animalmeet-and-greet and outdoor exploration. $$ Storytime Expedition: Anansi the Spider: An Ashanti Tale at the Penn Museum, Phila. $$$

17 Saturday

Baseball on the Beach between Andrews & Rio Grande Aves., Wildwood. FREE Crafts and Fine Arts Festival on Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. Family activities include canvas painting, ceramic tile painting, sand art and face painting. FREE Festival of India on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Phila. Celebrate India’s Independence Day with art, music, dance and food. FREE

Caribbean Festival on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Phila. Immerse the family in culture, music and food from the islands. FREE Crafts and Fine Arts Festival on Haddon Avenue, Collingswood. See Aug. 17. FREE Fife & Drum Corp. performs at Historic Smithville & Village Greene Smithville.

FREE Fire Muster and Firefighters' Family Day at WheatonArts, Millville. See “Fan of,” left. FREE The Oval Closing Day at Eakins Oval, Phila. Visit the pop-up park for the final time this season. FREE

19 Monday

Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE

20 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Pears at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, pick a container of the fruit to take home. $$

21 Wednesday

Breakfast with the Pirates at the Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May. See Aug. 7. $$$$ Movie Night: Ralph Breaks the Internet at Stewart Park, Mullica Hill. FREE Petting Zoo at the Learning Experience, Voorhees. FREE South Jersey Kids’ Expo at Cooper River Park, Pennsauken. Festivities include moonbounces, games and vendors. FREE

CULTURE CLUB

Celebrate Obon, a traditional Japanese holiday that honors ancestry, during the Philadelphia Obon Festival at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden on Aug. 24. The bucolic space in Fairmount Park will play host to a tea ceremony, taiko drumming, arts & crafts, games and a flea market with goods and gifts.

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AUGUST 2019

23 Friday

Car Cruise at the Historic Smithville & Village Greene, Smithville.

FREE Dinos After Dark at the Academy of Natural Sciences, Phila. Take advantage of extended hours to view exhibits and visit the beer garden. $$ Movie Night: Small Foot at the Sunset Auditorium, Pitman. FREE Movie on the Beach: Aquaman at Mirror Lake Beach, Pemberton.

FREE Sports Card, Toys, Comics and Collectibles Show at the Wildwoods Convention Center, Wildwood. FREE Storytime Expedition: The Clay General at the Penn Museum, Phila. $$$

24 Saturday

Chocolate and Vanilla Celebration at Camden Children’s Garden, Camden. Vote for your favorite flavor and try a tropical smell test. $$ Seafarers' Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Pirates take over the grounds for hidden treasure and swashbuckling entertainment. $$$ Philadelphia Obon Festival at Shofuso Japanese House and Garden, Phila. See “Culture Club,” p. 16. FREE

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Education

continued from p. 6

“For every pro-player you see out there, there’s one or two thousand people who make that career possible,” Aviles says. ”There’s a lot of technology for STEM jobs and traditional jobs.”

Competition against college teams also exposes high school kids to possible areas of study, since many of the older players are in pursuit of degrees that could turn their passion into a job.

There are even college scholarships available. The National Association of Collegiate Esports says it has 130 member schools that offer $15 million in scholarships and aid.

For a student who wants to compete for a scholarship, participation on a high school team that is treated seriously can only help. “To see students get recognized for their very real skills in an official manner is extremely rewarding,” says Pizzini.

Health concerns

For parents concerned that their kids already spend too much time with video games at home, school programs have structured practices where advisers and coaches can control how long each student plays.

“Within the scholastic context, they have a coach monitoring their screen time and behavior, and many coaches encourage physical warm ups/stretching for players to prevent physical strain,” says Clint Kennedy, director of acquisition and education at PlayVS, a high school esports league. Ideally, kids apply some of those same habits when they return home to play.

Rose Destra is a MetroKids intern from Temple University.

AUGUST 2019

Winslow Twp. Family Day at New Brooklyn Park, Sicklerville. Features live entertainment, kids’ activities, food vendors, a resource fair, health screenings and giveaways. FREE

25 Sunday

Access to Science: Opening Doors to Autism at Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Phila. Families of kids with autism experience the venue before it opens to the public. $$$ Chocolate and Vanilla Celebration at Camden Children’s Garden, Camden. See Aug. 24. $$ Seafarers' Weekend at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. See Aug. 24. $$$ Wildwoods Restaurant Week, Wildwoods. Participating eateries offer meal specials through Aug. 29. $$$$

27 Tuesday

Read and Pick: Apples at Terhune Orchards, Princeton. Following storytime, pick a container of the fruit to take home. $$

30 Friday

Movie Night: Incredibles 2 at Fort Billings Park, Paulsboro. FREE

31 Saturday

Hands-On History at Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May. Get your “Pastport” stamped at activity stations to score a treat. $$$

Meet Our CoverKid

This month’s CoverKid is 10-year-old Liam H. of Glen Mills, PA. Liam loves reading and has read 52 of the 67 Warriors Saga books. He has also spent time this summer on his bike, playing football and swimming in the lake by the family campground.

As September approaches, Liam looks forward to returning to two schools. He’s a fifth grader at Garnet Valley Elementary School and, on Saturdays, is a fifth-grader at St. Adalbert’s Polish Language School in Philadelphia.

Liam has been attending the weekend classes at the school since first grade in order to learn about Polish language and culture.

His mother, Joanna, who came to America from Poland when she was Liam’s age, says he has visited Poland every year since he was 2 years old. He hopes to return next summer to visit family and do a road trip across the country.

That sounds like a great trip, Liam, and we hope you get to take it.

Photo by Expressions Photography.

MetroKids.com 17

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Family Fun

n u F

PICK-YOUR-OWN

Guide to Adventure

No wonder families flock to farms, orchards and markets for the U-pick experience: It’s a hands-on way for kids to learn about nature and nutrition. Still, you’ll need to know a few things before you hit the fields. Find out when each crop is in season, where to pick them and tips to make the most of the trip.

Berries

Nectarines

Blueberries: Through early Aug. Blackberries: Through Aug. Raspberries: Through late Sept.

Through late Sept.

WHEN TO PICK:

WHERE TO PICK:

Haines Berry Farm, Pemberton (blueberries) Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford (blueberries) Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill (all berries) Terhune Orchards, Princeton (blueberries) Wells’ Blueberry Farm, Southampton (blueberries)

U-PICK TIPS

Blackberries: Pick blackberries with a dull finish.

Blackberries that are shiny still need another day or half-day to ripen.

WHEN TO PICK:

WHERE TO PICK:

Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill Russo’s Orchard Lane Farm, Chesterfield Strawberry Hill Farm, Bordentown

U-PICK TIPS

Cardboard boxes make the best containers for stone fruits such as nectarines and peaches.

The fruit should be yellow with blushes of red. A green hue means it’s not ready to be picked.

Pick this fruit gently, using the length of your fingers rather than getting a close grip with your fingertips.

Peaches

WHEN TO PICK:

Through late Sept.

WHERE TO PICK:

Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill Strawberry Hill Farm, Bordentown Russo’s Orchard Lane Farm, Chesterfield

U-PICK TIPS

Red does not indicate ripeness. Firm peaches will often soften if left out in room temperature for a few days.

Enjoy within a week after picking.

Store peaches at room temperature shoulder (stem) side down, preferably in a single layer to avoid bruising.

Blueberries: Once picked, leave the container open so it doesn’t fill with moisture.

Raspberries: The easier to pull off the bush, the riper the raspberry is.

All Berries: Place picked berries into a shallow container. If they get piled too deep they’ll crush each other.

Don’t overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down. The collection containers should be wide so the berries aren’t more than a few deep.

Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them or freeze them. Washing them makes them more prone to spoiling.

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AUGUST 2019

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Family Fun

Pears

Pumpkins

WHEN TO PICK:

WHEN TO PICK:

Mid-Aug. to late Set.

WHERE TO PICK:

Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill Strawberry Fill Farm, Bordentown

U-PICK TIPS

To determine if a pear’s ripe enough to pick, gently squeeze it. If it has a slight “give” or springiness, it’s ready.

To pick, roll it upward off the branch and give it a twist.

If the stem detaches easily from the branch, it’s ready.

What to Bring

WHERE TO PICK:

• • • • • •

U-PICK TIPS

What to Watch Out For

Sept.-Nov.

Duffield’s Farm Market, Sewell Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill Terhune Orchards, Princeton Russo’s Orchard Lane Farm, Chesterfield Terhune Orchards, Princeton Before you pick, take note of size: Medium pumpkins are best for carving, while small ones are easier to cook.

Check the stem: If it’s soft or loose, it might be prone to rotting. A green stem indicates the pumpkin has been freshly picked, and a tan or brown stem means the gourd was harvested a few days prior.

Don’t use the stem as a handle. Once you pick your pumpkin, never use the stem to carry it. If the stem breaks off, you’ll leave a hole in your pumpkin and that can lead to rot.

Bug spray Containers to store fruit Disposable wipes Snacks & water Sunscreen Wide-brimmed hat

• Crop demand; call ahead to see what’s available to be picked • The forecast; be sure to pick a sunny day • Bees & other insects • Never eat fruit before it’s washed • Uneven ground • Woodchuck holes

Apples WHEN TO PICK:

Aug.-Nov.

WHERE TO PICK:

Duffield’s Farm Market, Sewell Hill Creek Farms, Mullica Hill Johnson’s Corner Farm, Medford Mood’s Farm Market, Mullica Hill Russo’s Orchard Lane Farm, Chesterfield Strawberry Fill Farm, Bordentown Terhune Orchards, Princeton

U-PICK TIPS

Apples on the outside and lower branches ripen fastest, and they’re easiest to grab.

Once picked, don’t toss the apple into the basket. Place it in gently, or it’ll spoil more quickly.

Log on to MetroKids.com/u-pick for more information, including hours, address, phone number & website.

AUGUST 2019

MetroKids.com 19

We believe in encouraging our students to express themselves.

Private Special Education … an Option You Should Know About!

Sometimes, it starts with a twinkle in the eye. Just a little spark of curiosity that soon blossoms into a journey of discovery, learning and achievement. That’s because at our private special education schools, we see beyond a child’s disability, and awaken the joy and creative expression within.

Our schools are welcoming places where students feel at home and are able to enjoy a rich and rewarding social life. Our students feel cherished, well cared for and respected for a very good reason—it is part of our mission and our commitment.

Students at our special education schools experience a school day as it should be—filled with discovery, achievement, learning and friendship. Here, they have people they know they can count on—outstanding teachers, therapists, counselors, psychologists and job coaches who constantly encourage and support them.

With individualized attention, on-site therapies and vocational training, our schools deliver unparalleled services for students with special needs. Our New Jersey Department of Education certified special education teachers, licensed therapists and counselors provide expert, advanced instruction and support … along with plenty of smiles.

These unique services are provided at NO COST for families.

Find out if private special education is the right fit for your child. Our staff can help answer your questions.

To find out more about what programs may be right for your child, call us at 1-800-697-8555 or visit SpecialEducationSchools.org

HollyDELL School | Garfield Park Academy | Larc School | St. John of God Community Services Copyright ©2019 Coalition of Special Education Schools