"Ready to Read: The Keys to Helping Your Child Learn the 5 Essential Reading Skills" ~ A Workshop for Parents 5/2/13 Hillsdale Elementary (open to the entire community)

Wondering what it’s going to take to get your child beyond memorizing the ABC’s to actually being able to read?  

Join the West Chester Area School District Preschool Parents Group for a critical session to help your child learn to read. May 2 – 5:30 to 7 p.m. – Hillsdale Elementary School. “Ready to Read: The Keys to Helping Your Child Learn the 5 Essential Reading Skills” is presented by the Chester County Library and is open to anyone in any school district. 

Babysitting will be offered at $5/child but you must RSVP to beth.trapani@verizon.net by May 1 to reserve a spot.  If you plan to attend the session, please email beth.trapani@verizon.net.

WCASD Parents ~ Check Out this GREAT Fundraiser Opportunity from David Fuller Karate

Just received this email from my kids Karate School… 

Hello everyone,

 

I hope this email finds you in good spirits and health.  David Fuller Karate is offering all the West Chester Elementary Schools a great way to raise money for their PTO with no out of pocket money or work for you to do. We will be offering a summer membership for only $55 per person and then donating $35 per person back to the school.  That’s more than 60%!

In addition we will be giving away two bonuses. 

The first one will be a $300 bonus that will go to the 1^st school that has 10 students sign up for the special. The second one will be a $500 bonus to the school that has the most students sign up for the special.  We will tally up the totals on June 3^rd and present the checks that week. Again there is basically no work for you to do. We will print up all flyers and deliver them to the place of your choice. The sooner you reply, the sooner you can get started. At the end of the summer if any student decides to continue with the training, we will donate 50% of their September 2013 tuition.

 

Here is an example of how the fundraiser will work..

 

If you have 300 students in your school

10% try (30 students) = $1050.00

10 stay after summer = $600.00

 

Plus $800.00 in Bonuses.

  

All I need is for someone from the PTO to do is to contact the studio by phone or email and let us know what school you are with, how many flyers you will need, and where you want them delivered. We can have flyers to you within 2-3 days. 

 

Thank you so much for your time and as a fellow WCASD Parent, I hope David Fuller Karate, can help raise a lot of money for your school.

 

Thank You, 

Master Fuller
David Fuller Karate
1041 Andrew Drive

West Chester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-429-4850

Email: df_karate@yahoo.com

www.davidfullerkarate.com

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/DavidFullerKarate

 

 

Calling ALL Parents of Budding Engineers Check Out Bricks 4 Kidz Summer Camp 2013

“Instruction ends in the school-room, but education ends only with life.” – Frederick W. Robertson

Hello Parents of Budding Engineers! Bricks 4 Kidz Summer Camp Schedule is below. They have 2 full day camps in association with TOTAL SOCCER. The rest are all half day camps. You may combine 2 half day camps. Camp registrations have begun.  All children will receive a free Camp T shirt,custom mini figure and Certificate upon completion. Please find the printable camp registration form here. The summer camp schedule can be found here.  Please check the Bricks4Kidz Facebook page for up to date information. Creativity , problem solving, and teamwork are the focus of these fun and educational camps. Spaces are limited, so early sign-up is recommended.  None of the camps will have more than 20 kids. Our Robotics and movie making camps will have a maximum of 15 kids. All camps are open to kids 5+, unless otherwise specified. Where?: Beth Israel Congregation and Preschool 385 Pottstown Pike Chester Springs PA 19425 K D Markley elementary school 354 Swedesford Road Malvern 19355 Central Presybetarian Church 100 West Uwchlan Ave Downingtown PA 19335 DARC www.darcinfo.org Higher Ground Conference center and Cafe 910 South High Street West Chester 19382 Pocopson Elementary school 1105 Pocopson Road West Chester PA 19382 **Please provide your child with a NUT-FREE snack.** Lunchtime supervision for kids that are registered for the AM and PM camp.

Space Adventures (inspired by NASA) Ages 5+ The Space Adventures Workshop is packed full of models that will make your childs imagination blast off! Each day, kids will learn about real-life space exploration and build motorized models related to the NASA space program, plus group games and challenges. Bricks 4 Kidz Space Adventures workshop provides the spark for imagination and creativity to take off on an adventure that is out of this world! Enroll now!

Amusement Park Ages 5+ Get your ticket to ride at Bricks 4 Kidz very own Amusement Park! Campers will build a new ride each day, learning how to make things spin, roll, turn and rock. Then they will take what they have learned to design their own thrills and challenges. Motorized models maximize the action and the fun. Each camp day includes carnival-themed games, group challenges, model-building and more. Enroll now

Remote Control Mania Ages 5+ Making it move is the name of the game at this exciting camp! Kids will love to see their creations in motion using LEGO wireless remote controls. Each day, campers will use fascinating and challenging LEGO components to create dynamic vehicles, inventions, machines and more. As they enjoy the fun of building, campers will understand the basic working principles of many ingenious devices that are part of our everyday lives. Campers will also learn how to magnify, diminish and redirect force to move objects at different speeds and in different directions. This camp is loads of fun and learning for budding builders. Enroll now!

Movie making and Animation Ages 8+ Light, cameras, LEGO action! Use LEGO bricks to tell YOUR story, complete with music, special effects and all your favorite LEGOmini-figure characters! In this unique and creative camp, students will plan, script, stage, shoot, and produce their own mini-movie using Stop Motion Animation. Working as a team, students will use LEGO components to build the set and props, then shoot their movie using a camera. Teams will use movie-making software to add special effects, titles, credits and more. When the movie is complete, campers will impress friends and family with a screening party on the last day of camp. Don’t miss your chance to be a movie producer! *All Campers take home a custom mini-figure, a certificate and a DVD of their movie creation at the end of the week. Enroll Now

Mindstorm NXT Robotics Ages 9+ The hottest selling LEGO  brand, Mindstorms combines classic LEGO building with the world of robotics, using motors, sensors and software. You’ll learn how to design and program your LEGO ‘bots that can perform all kinds of tasks! Mindstorm software lets you place icons in sequence to design the commands you want. It’s easy to learn and teaches basic programming logic. This camp is a fun and challenging introduction to the world of robotics for the advanced LEGO enthusiast! *All Campers take home a custom mini-figure & a certificate at the end of the week. Enroll Now

Animal Grossology Ages 5+ If you’re fascinated by the weird but true, wild and wacky, gross and yucky, then this is the camp for you! Spend the week discovering the zany biology of our animal friends. Each day we’ll explore fascinating facts about the animal kingdom, focusing on a “creature of the day”. Build a different animal model each day and fill your very own “Animal Grossology” booklet with crazy and cool facts you learn, complete with a picture of each model, to become a certified Bricks 4 Kidz Grossologist. Enroll Now

$50 Off a Birthday Party at My Gym Children’s Fitness Center in Lionville!

My Gym Children’s Fitness Center – Lionville has two Birthday Party slots available 1:30-3 and 3:30-5:00, (2 hour parties) on Saturday, May 4th (GREAT DAY for a Star Wars Party – May the 4th be with you!) They are offering a “Chesco Moms Special” – $50 off any party package for these 2 time slots. First come, first serve. Offer only good for 5/4/13. (610) 363-6090 or mygymexton@gmail.com. 

This would be a great opportunity for a playgroup Un-Birthday Party, Neighborhood get the kids together or and end of school pre-school class party. Don’t forget to mention Chesco Moms when you call!

Today is Prescription Drug Take – Back Day all throughout Chester County. (Link to Local Collection Points)

Prescription Drug Take-Back Day across the country on Saturday, April 27th. Collection sites are open 10 a.m. to 2:0OPM . The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

CLICK HERE to visit the DEA website for the full list of collection points

Chesco Mom Laura shares her Kitchen Renovation

Can you believe it is Friday again?!?! This week seemed to fly by. Time for another installation of our weekly Home Renovation Series. 

This weeks homeowner is a former work colleague (Wells Fargo) and former neighbor of mine. Her old house (in my neighborhood) to this day is my most very favorite. I love it and when she put it up for sale last year, I seriously considered picking up and moving into her beautifully decorated and remodeled home. ( I will have to ask her to share basement pictures.. it is AMAZEBALLS! The new owners won’t mind, right?) 

The home owner…Laura, is all settled into her new house and has already begun putting her special decorating touch on it and making it hers. Below she shares her kitchen renovation story. 

BEFORE:This is a picture from when the previous owners lived in it. I fell in love with this kitchen instantly, but once we moved in, it was lacking the warmth and attention to details I love about a kitchen. I knew that I wanted to make a change in this space, but without spending a ton of money or changing anything major. I found that the yellow walls really made the cabinets as well as the counters appear yellow as well. Also, the island light was not centered on the island (which drove me CRAZY!).

AFTER:  It’s amazing what a difference a just a few changes can make.  I pulled out the two old lights and replaced them with ones that reflected our style more (and the island light is now centered on the island and all is right with the world now).  I also freaked my husband out when I took black paint and painted the beautiful Merilat Maple island.  We also added two legs to the end of the island to give it a piece of furniture feel.  I also put in bar stools without backs which allowed for more walkway space.  I painted the walls a toffee brown which made the cabinets and counters appear more warm.  To balance the toffee paint, I added celadon green roman shades to the doors and windows.  Overall, these were minor and quick changes with a nice warming impact. I now love my kitchen even more!

Here is a side by side of the Before/After

About the Home Owner: Laura Lee Room Design is owned and operated by Laura Lee and offers home staging, redesign and organization services in Chester County, PA and the surrounding western suburbs of Philadelphia. 

Laura is a Home Staging Resource (HSR) Certified Professional Home Stager, Redesigner and Organizer.  The HSR Certification program is accredited by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), which is the only 3^rd party, governing association for the home staging industry.  Laura is a member of the American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners, Real Estate Staging Association, National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and Stagers Connect which assist her in remaining current on real estate and staging industry trends.

Laura has a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Masters of Art from Webster University. Her career has included military service as a construction engineer, project management and process improvement expert with General Electric, business executive with Wells Fargo and currently as an executive consultant.  Laura’s creativity, attention to detail, customer focus and love of design enable her to create beautiful and memorable interior and exterior spaces for any type of home. 

To view all of the home renovation projects featured in this series – click here

If you are interested in sharing your home renovation project please click here. Your contribution to the series can be any room in your house, garden or patio.

Philly Burb Mom Janeane and twins involved in Hit and Run. F150 Truck still at large.

Many of you have heard that a Mother (Janeane) and her twins were struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing the street on foot in Radnor yesterday. The Mother is part of a Social Media Network that I (Sarah) belong to. This is what she posted last night…

Thank you to all of your for your kindness and generosity. The little twin is sore but got sent home from the hospital. The big twin was sent by helicopter to Dupont Hospital in Delaware. She is sedated and we are waiting to see if she wakes up and responds before dealing with the fractures. It is a terrible thing to see your child hit so hard she is knocked out of her shoes. Please know we appreciate all your kindness and help.

There are several efforts hosted by friends of Janeane to help provide for her family during this difficult time. If you would like to contribute, here are a few options:

Saidah of A Proverbs Wife is collecting donations here: http://aproverbswife.com/2013/04/urgent-a-blogger-her-5-year-old-twins-victims-of-a-hit-run.html 

If you have a Facebook or Twitter account, please update your status to read: 
6yr old in hospital, due to hit & run. Black Ford F150 still at large. See something? Say Something!  http://ow.ly/ks5hi

Finally, whether or not you’re in the position to help financially, please send prayers and positive thoughts to Janeane and her family, and let’s hope the driver of that truck is brought to justice.

Bedroom Makeover Disney (Paint) Style..I am Making Progress!

I have spent this past week prepping and painting my sons room for his super fun Disney Paint room renovation. The baby jungle animals (click here for the before photos) are gone and the walls are now a lovely shade of “Toon Afternoon” by Disney Paint. 

My mom is helping me with this project. She is a very good painter, but an even better taper. (we may or may not have gone through an entire roll of painters tape…ha!).

This is the first time either of us have used Glidden’s Disney Paint and we were both very pleased with how easy it rolled on. The dark animal murals we were covering up took two coats to completely cover, but the areas that didn’t have murals, covered in one coat. One coat..how awesome!

To decide what color was going on the walls, I let my son play on the custom room painter on DisneyPaint.com. I saved his “creation” and was able to print it out and take to Walmart with us when we bought the paint. While online, I also had a chance to look at Disney Paint Specialty Finishes. We decided to go with “Great Slate” and are adding a chalkboard wall to his room. How fun?! I have never used chalkboard paint before so I checked out the “how to” video on applying chalk board paint on DisneyPaint.com and it looked pretty easy…and guess what IT WAS! I might be addicted to chalkboard paint now. It is SO cool! It was SO easy to do, I am already planning another chalkboard paint project in another room of my house.

Below is a photo of the chalkboard wall after one coat. Also in the photo is my sons dresser. It was painted cheetah-ish to match the jungle room, but it too is getting a chalkboard paint make over. I painted the drawer fronts in chalkboard so I can write “socks, shorts, sweaters, t-shirts, etc” on the front of the drawers with little pictures so my son will learn where his clothes go and hopefully start to help put his clothes away. (A mom can dream…right?).

Per the “how to video” on the Disney Paint website, chalkboard paint takes two coats and you need to wait a week before you can draw on it.

We are adding finishing touches to the room and this kid can’t wait to share the “big reveal” with you. Stay tuned!

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Glidden via MomTrends.  The opinions expressed are mine and are not indicative of the opinions of Glidden.

Chester County SPCA Annual Walk for Paws – Sunday, April 28, 2013

My dog (AKA, my furry son – adorable pup in photo below) is a Chester County SPCA dog and this is one of my favorite events to celebrate his being. If it were not for the CCSPCA, I would not have him and I seriously can not imagine my life without him. (I AM CRAZY ABOUT HIM!) 

Saving lives is a walk in the park…Hibernia Park, that is. The Annual Walk for Paws will be held on Sunday, April 28th, from 11 am to 2 pm.  This is one of the CCSPCAs most important fundraising events, with all proceeds going to animals, programs and services at the Chester County SPCA.

Bring your dog, walk in honor of your favorite feline or exotic animal, or just do it for yourself on behalf of animals and animal welfare. 

The event also includes music and games for kids of all ages, food, and various animal-related demonstrations and merchants.  There are three trails to adventure on: Beginner 1/2 mile, Intermediate 1 mile and Advanced 1 1/2 mile. 

Fun for Everyone

• Pet psychic reading with your pet
• Scavenger hunt along the walk
• Show by kids comedian The Great Holtzie
• Facepainting
• Commemorative pet photo at the Pooch Smooch booth 
• Canine contests
• Search & rescue demonstration
• Agility demonstration with the opportunity for your pet to participate
• Low-cost microchipping & emergency vet care by Exton Vet
• Free nail trimming
• Adoptable animals

Feel free to walk the trails as many times as you would like or just join others for a day of fun and relaxing. We hope to see you and many fellow CCSPCA alumni there!

This is my beloved! A CCSPCA dog, adopted in May 2010. 

To register for this event – Register online or register at the event starting at 10 am on Sunday. This year all registrants receive a free Walk for Paws tshirt!

People’s Light and Theatre Company presents: STARGIRL

People’s Light and Theatre Company presents: STARGIRL

By Y York

Based on the novel by Jerry Spinelli

Directed by Samantha Bellomo

APRIL 20 – MAY 12, 2013

Main Stage

When an eccentric homeschooler arrives at Mica Area High School, hallways buzz with texts, whispers fill the air, and 11th grader Leo Borlock’s life is changed forever. Based on the critically-acclaimed novel by Jerry Spinelli, Stargirl celebrates first love, non-conformity, and the similarities that connect us all.

Youth ticket just $25!
Call 610.644.3500 or visit PeoplesLight.org

JOIN US FOR BOOK SIGNINGS WITH JERRY SPINELLI!
Jerry is the author of more than 30 books including Stargirl, Crash, Loser, Milkweed, the Newbery Award Winning Maniac Magee, and has recently released a new novel, Hokey Pokey.

Purchase your copy of Stargirl in our lobby or bring your favorite Jerry Spinelli book with you and have him sign it before your performance of Stargirl! APRIL 21st, MAY 4th, and MAY 11 at 1pm (before the 2pm performance)