AUGUST 2019
CreateIt Sponsored by Carnegie Science Center
PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 1 Number 8 Volume 32 AUGUST 6 what’s inside your community 10 parenting resource for over 30 years!
in this issue
1 CreateIt 6 CoverStory Water cycle in a bag activity Don’t divorce your kids
4 Editor’sNote 24 SteamForward Valuable skills to teach teens SciTech Days at Carnegie Science Center 5 EducationConnection 34 Around About August How much routine do students Calendar& of activities & events need? 18 featured topics 10 Money lessons to help kids avoid debts 12 Looking for a deal on school clothes? community spotlight 15 Pre-school prep for parents 11 Mars Bank is committed to your financial literacy 18 Concrete ways to help the new kid in school 19 Providence Heights Alpha School: Excellence. 27 Keeping kids active when they avoid team sports Innovation. Tradition. 31 Could your child’s reading difficulty be dyslexia? special section 15 - 33 Welcome Back To School on the cover
Cover: Trey Thomas Images
2 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 3 Editor’sNote Patricia Poshard
nywhere there are moms, there is conversation about parenting – the topic that always comes up is teens. Helping an adolescent become a caring, independent and responsible adult is no small task. Adolescence can be a confusing time of change for teens andA parents alike. But while these years can be difficult, there’s Pittsburgh Parent is published 12 times plenty you can do to nurture your teen and encourage respon- a year by Honey Hill Publishing, Inc. sible behavior. P.O. Box 674, Valencia, PA 16059 In an article titled “Valuable skills to teach your teens,” Monica Foley, M.Ed. in the Child Development Institute blog, suggests: 724-898-1898 • PittsburghParent.com “As a parent, your job is to take care of your children until the day arrives when they Office hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm can strike out on their own. While they graduate from high school knowing how to read and write, other skills are just as critical that may not get covered in the classroom. Before your teen leaves home, ensure they’re ready to live independently while mak- Publisher: Lynn Honeywill-Norris ing a positive impact on the world. Take a moment to run down this checklist of essential [email protected] life skills your teen will need to learn before living on their own. Editor: Patricia Poshard Manage time – Be a positive role model for establishing priorities and dealing with dis- tractions. Show your teen how to use a calendar and work towards meeting a deadline. [email protected] Study efficiently – While your teen may not be enrolled in geometry classes much longer, Production: Kerri Lutz they will continue to benefit from knowing how to learn. Encourage your child to embrace [email protected] reading. Demonstrate how to recognize key concepts and design self-tests on any mate- rial. Marketing & Finance [email protected] Stick to a budget – The choices your teen makes today will help to determine how much debt they accumulate during college and what their options will be when they graduate. Web/ Social Media: Kerri Lutz Give them a head start on developing financial responsibility by assigning them tasks such [email protected] as managing their allowance. Eat well – Healthy eating habits start early too. Bring your teen along for grocery shop- Account Manager ping and invite him/her to join you in preparing dinner. Stress the importance of eating a Corina Shutack balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits and other whole foods. Teach your child essential [email protected] basic cooking techniques. Editorial • Social Media Clean up – Kids who grow up doing chores are more likely to take care of their first apart- Maria Castello ment and personal possessions. Take the time to teach your kids how to vacuum, dust and do their laundry. Founding Publisher Marilyn McCabe Honeywill Stay safe – Talk with your teen about protecting themselves online and off. Provide common-sense warnings and share your own experiences. 1931 - 2013 Handle emergencies – Does your teen know what to do if they have a fender bender or there’s a severe storm in the forecast? Review how to respond to common emergencies. Clarify core values – The values your teen chooses will guide their behavior. Point them Follow Us on Social Media in a promising direction by ensuring they can articulate their beliefs and put them into action. facebook.com/pittsburghparentmagazine Give generously – Your teen is more likely to succeed if they help others to do the same. Encourage them to share their resources and volunteer their services. instagram.com/pghparentmag Manage stress – Developing mindfulness will help protect your teen from depression and pinterest.com/pghparentmag anxiety. They can also learn to relax by engaging in physical exercise and/or working on a hobby. twitter.com/pghparentmag Master phone etiquette – Even if your teen spends much of their waking life on the phone, they may not communicate effectively. Train your kids to identify themselves and speak clearly. Rehearse scheduling appointments or calling a professor. www.PittsburghParent.com Talk face-to-face – Your teen may be more comfortable on social media than having a conversation in person. Hold regular family meals where they can practice having real- @ Sign Up For Our E-Blast at time conversations. Make it a family rule that no devices are allowed at the dinner table. PittsburghParent.com Supportive relationships are vital to health and wellbeing. Coach Cultivate relationships – Pittsburgh Parent is distributed monthly to over your teen on how to make friends and network. 600 locations in and around Allegheny, Armstrong, Be assertive – Help your child to develop healthy self-esteem and practice advocating for Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland themselves. Knowing how to share their wants and needs will bring them closer to fulfill- Counties. Distribution of this magazine does not ing their goals. constitute an endorsement of information, products You can help ease your teen’s transition into adulthood. Protect your children when or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing which is not they’re young, and then gradually give them more responsibility so they can acquire the in keeping with the publication’s standards. The skills they need to live on their own when the time is right.” entire contents of the publication are copyrighted Remember, teens learn how to behave by watching their parents. Your actions gener- and may not be reproduced or copies in any form ally speak louder than your words. Show your teen how to cope with stress in positive without the permission of the publisher. Copyright ways and be resilient. Be a good model and your teen will likely follow your lead. n Honey Hill Publishing, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved.
4 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com EducationConnection Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts
Dear Teacher Angella Di How much routine do students need?
How much routine should we have in our family on school days? I don’t want Angella Di is a fashion and design company every minute of the day to be organized for our children. – For Some Routine that features bold colors and unique pop-art Q: style designs printed on white canvas shoes. • Two feature patterns: Lipstick and Bubble Gum. • Bubble Gum shoes can be worn as a “mommy and me” matching moment to remember! • Available in a select number of children and adult sizes. • Available on Amazon.
There are no hard and fast rules about how much routine children should have during the school year. Routines need to reflect each child’s personal- A:ity and needs. For example, a child with ADHD will definitely profit from quite a bit of structure while one who seems to have a built-in organizer can function with far fewer routines. angella-di.com There is a need to have some routines in every home just to make things func- tion smoothly. This should include a morning routine that will have a time for getting up and dressed, eating and for leaving the home with everything needed for school. Most homes also have homework and bedtime routines to give a sameness to every day. No routine should cover every minute of the day. Free time needs to be part of every routine. Basic routines need to be written out and displayed. Pictures can be used for young children. And there is another thing about following routines, they need to be flexible. They will change as activities are added or eliminated. When routines are disrupted by outside events, such as a traffic jams, dinner and homework projects, they can be changed. To help some children follow rou- tines, especially early morning ones, a kitchen timer can be used to show when a particular activity should begin or end. Rewards can also be used if they are an effective tool in encouraging children to follow routines. Finally, if a routine doesn’t seem to be working, change it. And the older your children get, the more input you should get from them. n
Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher. com or ask them on the columnists’ website at www.dearteacher.com. PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 5 Don’t your kids! DivorceBy Ann K. Howley
t’s over. Your marriage went awry and divorce looms before you. Whether you feel relieved or shattered, your life is going to change. You will face new and unexpected challenges and be forced to make tough choices. If you have children, the next days, months and years will be stressful for them as well. During this difficult period, if you are Ioverwhelmed and preoccupied with your own problems, you may forget that you and your ex are still the most important people in your children’s lives. The worst thing you can do is unwittingly divorce your kids in the process. What does it mean to “divorce” your kids? Parents can’t literally divorce their kids. Divorce is the legal dissolution of a marriage and parents are by law obligated to provide care and support for minor children. But during a divorce, when parents ignore or deny the needs of their children, they may not realize the harm they inflict upon them.
story in touch, it was impossible to remain a part of their Johannes’ daily lives with thousands of miles and an eleven “As a parent, I feel like I failed miserably.” hour time difference between them. He loved his Johannes Hogenhout and his wife were kids and didn’t mean to hurt them, but the physical living in New Zealand with their three children separation emotionally damaged his children and when their marriage fell apart. After divorcing, devastated his relationship with them. Johannes retained custody of the kids, but Although his daughters are now grown with kids when he remarried a short time later, he made of their own, Johannes recently wrote a “love letter” a fateful choice. He decided to relocate to to them, expressing regret for his actions. Pittsburgh with his new American wife and left “I never should have done that,” he told them. behind his kids, aged 12, 14 and 16. He feels grateful that one of his daughters was Johannes never considered how this willing to speak to him. They now communicate decision would strain his relationship with his Johannes Hogenhout via Skype every few weeks. His younger daughter children, who grew angry and resentful. still doesn’t want to talk, but he is planning a trip “I was not the man I should have been. I was “I was not the to New Zealand and hopes that he will be able to playing life, not taking it seriously,” he says. “It man I should have see her while he’s there. Recently retired, Johannes is the biggest regret of my life.” been. I was playing says he is seriously considering relocating back to Johannes didn’t realize that he essentially life, not taking it New Zealand to try to be a part of his children’s and divorced his children. Although he tried to keep seriously,” grandchildren’s lives.
6 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com Short term effects of divorce The first two years after a divorce are Pittsburgh’s Premier Child Custody Lawyers the hardest. The immediate consequence when a marriage breaks down is that one parent usually moves out. Moving to the other side of the world is an extreme. But even when a parent, often the father, lives nearby, losing daily contact with that par- ent can still confuse and unsettle children. How a child reacts and adjusts to the new realities of their family’s routine largely depends upon the age of the child. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AA- CAP), “Young children may react by be- coming more aggressive and uncoopera- “Here at Darbouze Law Group we pride tive or by withdrawing. Older children may ourselves in three aspects: Compassion, Experience, and Professionalism”
- Attorney Lauren Darbouze, Principal Attorney
Cranberry Township Downtown Pittsburgh Cranberry Crossroads One Oxford Centre, Suite 4300 2009 Mackenzie Way, Suite 100 301 Grant Street Heather Ferri Cranberry Twp., PA 16066 Pittsburgh, PA 15219
“Kids absorb Call us to schedule a consultation everything that’s 412-849-6831 • darbouzelawgroup.com going on,” feel deep sadness and loss. Their school- work may suffer and behavior problems are common. As teenagers and adults, children of divorce can have trouble with their own relationships and experience problems with self-esteem.” “Kids absorb everything that’s go- ing on,” says Pittsburgh trauma expert, Heather Ferri. “Many act okay on the out- side, but are upset inside. Kids learn from watching their parents. Not just words, but body language. They take in everything and think it’s their fault.” Heather counsels couples on the brink of breaking up, as well teens who have been traumatized by divorce. She believes that kids know exactly what’s wrong in a marriage. “Parents need to understand the wisdom of their children. They see so much and understand so much. We dumb them down and that’s why they are depressed.” Long term effects of divorce Researchers from various disciplines agree that children from divorced families often experience psychological and social difficulties well into their adulthood. Some studies indicate that parental divorce may be linked to mental health problems, substance use and less success in terms of education, employment and romantic relationships. Divorce rates are higher for people whose parents were divorced. Infidelity in a marriage can also have a significant effect on children. In one survey of adult children who had an unfaithful parent, 70 to 80 percent reported that their attitudes toward love, relationships and their ability to trust were affected. The gravest danger: Parental alienation syndrome Dr. Richard A. Warshak, a clinical and research psychologist who has spent decades studying divorce, wrote the groundbreaking book, Divorce Poison: How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing. “Divorce does not always damage children,” he says. “But when children are caught in the crossfire of their parents’ hostility, it usually
continued on page 8 PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 7 DIVORCE continued from page 7 does. It hurts to just stand on the sidelines and watch parents trade shots. It hurts even more when parents enlist children as allies in the battle. And it hurts the most when one parent engages in a systematic campaign to turn the children against the other parent.” Consider the actions of these parents: • A mom hangs her framed divorce decree on the wall and laughs, refusing to remove it, when her friends and family tell her that it upsets her kids. • A dad attends his son’s sporting event but refuses to allow the child to talk to his mother, who is also watching the game, because this is supposed to be “his” time with his son. • A furious mother tells her children that she would rather starve than take a penny from her ex-husband and goes on welfare to prove her point. These are real moms and dads. I suspect that friends and family would insist they are caring parents who love their children. However, each of these parents is engaging in behavior that can inflict long lasting damage on their children. Dr. Amy Baker is a renowned researcher and developmental psychologist who specializes in parent-child relationships, child welfare and parental alienation. She describes this syndrome as a set of strategies that a parent uses to emotionally manipulate a child to turn against the other parent. These strategies include bad-mouthing, limiting contact, forcing the child to reject the other parent, creating the impression the other parent is dangerous, or threatening to withdraw affection to compel the child to choose between parents.
Sue’s story Sue Caputo’s daughter was 13 when she and her husband divorced. At first, Sue and her ex attempt- ed to be cordial with each other, but it didn’t last. After her daughter went to live with her father, Sue lost communication with her daughter for four years. “I didn’t see her for her entire high school years, from freshman to senior. She didn’t want me there. It was the most horrible experience of my life.” In January 2018, Sue formed the Parent-Child Alienation Support Group at Orchard Hill Church in Wexford. The group is open to men, women, couples, grandparents, children and anyone who is expe- riencing alienation from their loved ones. Attendees meet once a month to learn, watch videos or hear presentations from experts, like divorce attorneys. Sometimes people need to talk and attendees are encouraged to share as much or as little of their personal experiences as they want. Sue Caputo “You can feel their pain,” Sue says. “You need to talk to other people who are going through this, not just friends and family.” “I didn’t see her for her entire high school How to keep your kids out of your divorce years, from freshman There is no easy way to tell your kids that mom and dad are breaking up. Even if children expected to senior. She didn’t or feared that it would happen, the reality hits them hard and the conversation may be one of the most want me there. It was painful of their lives. the most horrible These tips from the AACAP are intended to help children and parents deal with the difficulty of these experience of my conversations: life.” • Do not keep it a secret or wait until the last minute. • Tell your child together with your spouse if possible. • Keep things simple and straight-forward and don’t share more information than your child is asking for. • Tell them the divorce is not their fault. • Admit that this will be sad and upsetting for everyone. • Reassure your child that you both still love them and will always be their parents. • Do not discuss each other’s faults or problems with the child. Another important thing you can do to keep your kids out of your divorce is to mini- mize conflict with your ex. Fighting isn’t always a bad thing. All moms and dads argue, even in stable marriages. When adults in the house are able to engage in mature conversations that resolve prob- lems, the occasional tiff teaches kids how to handle disagreements in a healthy manner. However, divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster for parents who may feel whip- lashed by feelings of guilt, shame, betrayal, anger, revenge, anxiety and fear. With ten- sions high, divorcing parents might be tempted to fight over significant or trivial things in front of the kids, which traumatize them. DON’T. If you are wounded and immature, you may also be tempted to use your children as therapists. Confiding in your children, trying to make them see “your side” of the divorce so that they will be your ally is a sign of parental alienation. “It’s abuse,” Heather Ferri points out. DON’T.
8 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com Advice from a family court judge “Divorce is not the end of the world.” It surprises me to hear this from Scott Mears, a judge from the Westmoreland County Court of Com- mon Pleas. Perhaps I expected a more cynical outlook from someone who deals with parents and children in contentious divorce cases. But he meant it. “Sometimes people are better off getting a divorce when the relationship no longer works. It’s not the end of the world,” he repeats. Judge Mears understands that a child’s natural inclination is to “have great affection for both parents, whether deserved or not.” He sees firsthand the damage done to kids when parents bad-mouth each other because children admire and look up to their parents. When an angry parent speaks badly of the other parent, they might think well it’s true, they deserve it. But they fail to understand how it destroys their child. Judge Scott Mears “Kids lose respect for the parent who is speaking badly of the other parent, and when they hear bad “Sometimes people things about the parent, it hurts them as well.” he says.“I don’t think parents understand what they’re doing.” are better off getting Judge Mears has two pieces of advice for divorcing parents. “First, do everything you can to stay out of a divorce when the court system. The worst thing is for the child to become embroiled in a child custody battle.” the relationship no In a custody case, judges are required to consider the “well-reasoned preference” of the child. Although longer works. It’s he takes great pains to keep the child out of the courtroom, it’s still very traumatic, even if the child is able to not the end of the talk to a judge in his chambers. “A child thinks I’ve got to decide which parent I love more, which is a terrible world.” decision for an eight, nine or ten-year-old,” he says. “If you can avoid a custody trial, it’s worth it.” Secondly, he advises parents to see a co-parenting counsellor or mediator immediately when the marriage breaks up. “Educate yourself and come up with an agreement on your own or see a mediator if you can’t, because kids won’t be directly involved in that process.” Judge Mears believes the court system does the best to refer people to the right places and give them the right resources, but fight- ing a custody battle in court damages both parents and children.
There is hope The long lasting effects of divorce don’t have to be negative. Parents who put the well-being of their children first, and exes who treat each other with maturity and civility, improve the long term mental and emotional health of their children. When children see their parents coping well and maintaining emotional stability, it’s more likely that they will do so, as well. “There is hope,” says Sue Caputo. “Never stop communicating with your children.” n
Pittsburgh writer Ann K. Howley teaches writing classes for CCAC’s Community Education program.
PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 9 Money lessons to help your kids avoid debt By Christa Melnyk Hines
hen it comes to teaching ten dollar allowance and owes you seven and future,” Jensen says. Teens can open financial literacy, parents play dollars, lay out ten one dollar bills and a CD credit builder loan through a local a vital role in how kids will take away seven to collect on the loan. bank, which will count as an installment manage their money in the They’ll realize that they’ll have to manage line of credit. future. Here are ways to raise smart money on three dollars until next payday. Another option is to add your child as Wmanagers. “This gives them a visual example of an authorized user on your credit card. Teach them to save – Many families are what it means to be in debt and how it “Parents don’t even have to tell their only one job loss, medical crisis or legal is- feels in the moment,” Goree says. child or give them the actual card,” Jen- sue away from falling into serious financial Teach them to plan ahead – Maggie sen says. “This will build their credit and trouble. Understanding the value of saving Root says that any money her sons, ages give them instant history for a revolving is a simple first lesson in personal finance. 12 and 17, earn or receive is divided three line of credit.” Provide a piggy bank for your youngster ways — 50 percent toward extras, 30 But proceed with caution. If disaster to collect change. Later, open a personal percent for education and 20 percent for strikes and you have to file bankruptcy or savings account in your child’s name for charity. are unable to pay the credit card off, your child’s credit score will be damaged too. them to squirrel away half of all of their “By expecting our boys to plan for “I would rather the student or the child earnings and monetary gifts. college, advanced degrees, etcetera, acquired credit on his or her own merit. Budget together – Demonstrate to your this gives them more ownership of their But a parent should be diligent in helping kids how you manage expenses like gro- future,” Root says. “We’ve noticed that to educate their child around wise use of ceries, bills, mortgage and car payments, our oldest is intent on getting higher ACT credit,” Goree advises. while still setting money aside for savings scores so that he can qualify for scholar- like college, retirement and emergencies. ships thus using less of his nest egg for Borrow smart – If kids get in the habit of If your own financial history is spotty, talk only making the mini- mum payment on credit Financial literacy by age cards during their col- • K-6 – Learn to save. Make choices. lege years, they’ll start “What purchases are you willing to off their careers under give up in order to have what you a burden of debt. Plus want most?” Consider offering al- the accrued interest can lowance for extra household chores negatively affect their at around age ten. credit score, making it harder for them to buy • Middle school – Learn the basics their first home or a car. of budgeting. Manage first-time Student loan debt earnings into savings and weekly is another area where expenditures. young adults can get • High school – Budget earnings, into trouble. Encour- discuss credit cards. Plan for future age your child to only needs like college or for a new borrow what they need car. Learn about investing and the even if they qualify for importance of charitable giving. more. “If they borrow Source: Latoya Goree too much, it affects their ability to maximize their about how poor budgeting decisions have income later,” Goree says. education and maybe using that for some- caused you problems. thing else once he’s out of school.” Raise an investor – Root helped Jack set “There is nothing wrong with being up a small investment account to manage. Offer incentives – Root’s oldest son, honest with children and letting them see “He really took to it and has used this in Jack, uses a portion of his earnings from you improve yourself. It’s actually a very his high school business class,” Root says. his part-time job toward his car insurance. valuable and humbling teaching oppor- “He has a good understanding of the “We agree to pay for his vehicle and tunity,” says Tonya Jensen, a financial stock market compared to his peers.” tags, as long as he meets our require- adviser. Check to see if your child’s school ments for academic and leadership Discuss the importance of living within participates in the Stock Market Game, performance,” Root says. “If he makes the your means by prioritizing necessities and which is a national competition for grades scholar roll, we will pay his insurance the carefully choosing the types of items that 4 - 12. The game provides $100,000 in following semester.” you purchase on credit. Stress the impor- virtual cash for student teams to invest in tance of paying off credit cards to avoid Balance a checkbook – Open a check- real companies. ing account for earnings that will cover getting saddled with long-term debt. Give back – Help your child understand expenses like gas, insurance and enter- Help them understand debt – Does your the value of giving back to their commu- tainment. Although many people now use child receive a weekly allowance? Next nity. “Charitable giving builds character,” debit cards and bank online, kids should time they ask to borrow money, create an Goree says. “It builds commitment to still learn how to write a check and bal- I.O.U. and bill them for your loan. the community and it builds integrity as ance a checkbook. “When it’s payday, lay out the money you are producing productive citizens for Establish a positive credit history. Ac- that they are to receive. Then, go back to society.” n cording to the U.S. Federal Reserve, the the debt they owe you and take it away,” average credit card debt of U.S. house- recommends economic educator Latoya Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines holds is roughly $5,700. Goree. and her husband are the parents of two “Credit affects every area of our life For example, if your child receives a boys. 10 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Finance SPONSORED CONTENT Mars Bank is Committed to Your Financial Literacy From School Age to Seniors, Everyone Needs to Understand Finances By Mars Bank
inance (or more simply: money) touches every aspect of our lives. The more adults and Fchildren understand about money, the better decisions they can make regarding budgeting, spending, saving and investing. Mars Bank is committed to helping our customers and community better understand financial issues and becoming more financially literate.
Our commitment to financial Finance and cyberthreats Free cyberthreat resources and training education includes: Unfortunately, the threat of cyberattacks, • Providing financial literacy programs in phishing, ransomware and identity theft We must all work together to prevent schools are real. Information is compromised on cybercrime, phishing attacks, and to know how to protect our personal • Hosting special-needs classes at a connected systems and devices at the information. That’s why the bank has hands-on banking experience largest companies in the world… and on personal PCs, tablets and smartphones. partnered with a leading computer-based • Holding first time homebuyer events Hackers and cyberthieves use fake emails, security awareness training organization to that demystify the real estate and texts and phone calls to attempt to get provide resources and free training for our mortgage process, and publishing access to your devices and information. customers and community. information about mortgage and Once they have access, they may Our online security training covers: lending options lockdown your information until you pay a • Passwords • Helping customers choose the best ransom or compromise passwords to your deposit and loan products online accounts. • Online Banking Security • And more. Mars Bank is committed to safeguarding • Identity Theft your personal and financial information. Contact us for financial • Malware Therefore, we continually strive to literacy resources • Confidentiality of Personal Information implement sophisticated technologies Would you like to become more financially to provide you with a positive online and • Child Protection Online literate? Follow us @MarsBankPA on mobile banking experience with ease of • Securing your Network Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Linkedin. use and a high level of security. • Email and Attachments Message the bank via social media, or Mars Bank will never request confidential email [email protected], and we’ll • And more! information through telephone, text, or send you financial education resources To access this training, visit MarsBank. email solicitations. Any such requests and notify you about upcoming events. com/security/. There you can read and should be reported immediately to the Also, visit MarsBank.com/connections/ to download resources and sign up for free bank. Please always protect your personal read and download financial education online cyberthreat training. and confidential information, sign-on IDs resources. and passwords at all times. Take the Time to Be Prepared Topics include: No matter your age or situation, being • Understanding the Difference Between better armed with knowledge regarding Pre-Qualifcation and Pre-Approval your finances will help you reach your • Rate vs. APR goals. Take the time to develop a budget • Documents You Need When Applying and spending plan, make sure you for a Mortgage understand the costs and rates associated with credit and reach out to experts, like • How Much Home Can I Afford? those at Mars Bank, to help you navigate • Why Everyone Needs a Budget your savings and lending choices. Taking • Commercial Real Estate Transactions: the time to have a plan will help you be What Business Owners Need to Know more prepared and less stressed when making financial choices. n • How a banker and accountant can help your business • Year End Tips for Business Owners
PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 11 Looking for a DEAL on school clothes? By Jennifer Collins
onsignments shops are popping up all over the area and allow you to sell your clothes to earn money or store credit. Consignment shops carry adult and children’s clothing, maternity clothes, shoes and even sports equipment. Children outgrow clothing quickly and are often fickle about sports, dance and other activities. While donating clothes is a chari- table thing to do, pulling out the new and high-quality pieces and working with a consignment shop is a way to earn Cmoney on those items your child can no longer wear or no longer uses. Some consignment shops give you cash upfront or store credit for your items, while others pay you a percentage once your items sell. Do some research before you go to a consignment shop and ask questions to avoid any misunderstand- ing and to find the right situation for you. Most consignment shops have very specific rules about what items and in what condition they will accept those items, so make sure to find out before you make an appointment to take in your things. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, shopping for clothes can be tiring and expensive. Consignment shopping is an alternative to big box stores and shopping malls. Finding quality clothing at a great price draws parents to these small, often boutique- like stores. For many parents, shopping at consignment just makes sense. “They grow so fast. I could go to a department store and buy a $20 shirt, put it on my child and have it outgrown the next day,” says Chrissie Slebonick, mother of 13-year-old Alyssa. “Then I found the world of consignment. I found gently used clothing or new clothing with tags for a fraction of the price.” Many parents of young children have so many baby clothes due to baby showers, excited family members and impulse purchases, they couldn’t pos- sibly wear them all. Those adorable out- fits are worn once, if at all, before they grow into the next size. It is common to
continued on page 14
12 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 13 Tips for Consignment Shopping
• Call ahead and find out when the stores are putting out new stock. • Be patient. If you are looking for something spe- cific, you might not find it right away. • Know your child’s sizes and consider sizing for the next season too. CLOTHES continued from page 12 • Be careful not to buy separates that don’t go with anything. Buy complete outfits or tops/bottoms you find brand new clothing in consignment shops. know will go with what you already have. Chris Lilley, the father of two-year-old Parker, has purchased • Although most shops will not accept items with his daughter’s clothes at consignment shops since she was an stains or in need of repair, don’t buy anything that infant. “Because of how quickly kids grow, most things I find are will cost you more money or time. either brand new or look like they’ve been worn once or twice.” For parents of children in sports or dance, consignment • If you find a quality piece that needs tailoring, shops can save on expensive items and equipment such as consider how much you are willing to spend. dance leotards, tap shoes, hockey skates, baseball gloves, pants Sometimes, if you get a solid piece at a good price, or cleats. Children grow out of these items often mid-season and tailoring might be worth it. finding them gently used at a consignment shop is much easier • Make a list of items you are looking for, but be on the budget. Parents can also sell their sports items to the open to other good deals. consignment shop and buy the next size.
Many consignment shops carry toys and other items like strollers, high chairs and swings. Since there are strict guide- lines about used items for infant equipment, consignment shops will not accept anything that has been recalled or has been damaged. You can feel comfortable buying these items but always inspect them carefully and do your own research before purchasing. “I found many toys in the consignment stores brand new in a box, for a fraction of what I would pay standing in line at a Black Friday sale,” says Chrissie. “I found my daughter’s princess bed at a consignment shop. It retailed for over $200 and I found it for $25. It was in mint condition. All I had to do was purchase the mattress and bedding.” Teenagers are always looking for ways to make extra money and what they often want to spend that money on is clothes. Consignment shops allow teens to sell back their gently used clothing for cash or to buy new clothes with store credit. Teens can also find special occasion dresses for dances and proms, along with shoes and accessories too. Those gowns and shoes are only worn once and can be purchased for often hundreds of dollars less than the retail price. Parents can find designer clothing and accessories as well as housewares at consignment shops. Since these shops are selective about the pieces they accept, customers can expect to find clothing, housewares and other items in great condi- tion. Some people feel uncomfortable buying second-hand, but they could be pleasantly surprised. There are quality items, often brand new, available for much less than depart- ment stores. “There’s no reason, in this day and age, that second-hand shopping should be considered second rate shopping,” says Chris Lilley. n
Jennifer Collins is a mom of two amazing kids and wife to her very own Superman. She likes to read, drink hot tea, and chase sunsets. She is a freelance writer, who journals about navigating life with terminal cancer on her blog, LifeConfetti.
14 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com BACK TO SCHOOL EARLY LEARNING
Preschool prep for parents By Meagan Ruffing
hether this year’s preschool prep is for your first kid, last kid or somewhere in between, there are a few insider tips that every parent should know. As a preschool substitute, I have a few tips for any parent looking for a smooth transition into WA, B, C land. First things first Find out when the first day of school is. Sounds easy enough, right? Coming off a summer schedule can throw even the most organized parent for a loop. Get a large family calendar and put it in a heavy traffic area where everyone can see it. Circle the date in a bold marker, put stickers all around it and help get your child excited about what’s to come. Extra tip: buy your little one her own calendar and help her hang it in her room. This will help her countdown the days until she starts preschool. Speaking of counting down the days… Why not take that good ole’ Christmas tradition of making paperchains and doing the same thing for preschool? Let your kiddo pick out fun summer colors and help him cut, glue and connect each piece to create a countdown paperchain that he can hang on the corner post of his bed. Voila! You’ve just made a practical tool for prepping for preschool and you made a craft with your kid. Kids get super excited about lunch time We’re celebrating four years! To get ready for the upcoming school year, make sure you have not just one but several different lunchboxes for your child to use. It’s one less thing you have to stress about on
Now enrolling children 6 weeks to 5 years old. Part-time or full-time care and preschoool. Open from 6:30am - 6:00pm. Conveniently located in Treesdale across from Market Square. school mornings when you realize your one and only lunchbox Indoor gym and outdoor fenced-in playground. is still in the dishwasher. I get to see quite a few lunchboxes while subbing at my We provide morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. daughter’s preschool so I can tell you firsthand that Bento- style is still the way to go. The word Bento comes from the CALL OR EMAIL TODAY FOR A TOUR! southern song slang term in Japanese meaning, “single,” 615 Warrendale Road “takeout,” our “home-packed meal.” This is the perfect way Gibsonia, PA 15044 to include lots of little bites of their favorite foods to create one complete meal. 724.625.4029 Preschoolers can work up quite an appetite between play- [email protected] ing outside and Wiggle Land. Packing Bento-style ensures Check us out on Facebook www.littleappleseedlearningcenter.net continued on page 17 PittsburghParent.com early learning AUGUST 2019 15 Child Care=CC PreKindergarten=PK Extended Day=X Preschool=PS Kindergarten=K Special Needs=S 2019 EARLY LEARNING DIRECTORY Montessori=M Summer Camp=SC Newborn=N Summer Prgm=SP Nursery School=NS Varies=V Ages Program Enrollment Hours Tuition ADAT SHALOM PRESCHOOL Casey Schapira PS 14 mo 9:30-12:30 V Developmentally appropriate programs 368 Guys Run Road 412-820-9110 PK to 68 & by • Non-denominational • Small class size Cheswick, PA 15024 adatshalompreschool.org SC 5 yrs 12:30-2:15 class • Play Curriculum • Enrichment & Summer camp
AQUINAS ACADEMY OF PITTSBURGH PRESCHOOL PROGRAM Sharon Navari PS, PK 3 8:30-11:30 $1,350 Your child will thrive in a nurturing environment while 2308 W. Hardies Rd. 724-444-0722 K to 35 & to learning the foundational skills needed for academic Gibsonia, PA 15044 AquinasAcademy.info X 4 yrs 12:15-2:45 $1,700 and personal growth.
BEGINNINGS PRESCHOOL Tammy Lewis 18 mo T-W-Th Growth through hands-on exploration designed to 315 Shady Avenue 412-661-3025 PS to 60 9:30am V foster the whole child • Low student teacher ratio Pittsburgh, PA 15206 [email protected] 5 yrs to 1pm • Before/after care available • Secure Playground
BELLWOOD PRESCHOOL Kate Campbell PS 3 yrs M-W-Th-F Individual discovery • creative play • est. 1969 2359 West Ingomar Road 412-366-3812 PK to 64 am & pm V • 1:6 teacher/student • science • cooking • Spanish Franklin Park, PA 15237 bellwoodpreschool.com PK • beautiful playground • experienced teachers
BEULAH CHRISTIAN PRESCHOOL AND CHILD CARE Tracy Belmonte CC 6 wks 7am • NAEYC accredited & 4 Star Center 2500 McCrady Road 412-242-4424 PS to 260 to V • Non-denominational, Christian Pittsburgh, PA 15235 beulahpscc.org PK 5 yrs 6pm • Financial Aid
COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Sarah DeWitt X 3 7:30am Nurturing children through a Reggio Emilia - inspired 6424 Forward Ave. 412-521-1100 PS to 65 to V Jewish experience for learning and play. Tuition Pittsburgh, PA 15217 comday.org K, PK 5 yrs 6pm assistance and flexible schedules available.
EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Nanette Curtis X 3 Certified teachers provide a developmentally appropriate, Ross Township 412-364-8055 PS, K to 120 V V sensory-rich experience, encouraging curiosity, inspiring Wexford EdenChristianAcademy.org PK 5 yrs creativity, and integrating biblical truths in daily learning.
MONTESSORI CENTRE ACADEMY, INC. Yolanda Sweenie M. PS 2 yrs 7am Montessori curriculum for toddler, preschool and 1014 Wm. Flynn Hwy. 412-486-6239 K, CC thru V to V kindergarten • Located on 20 acres • Day Care Glenshaw, PA 15116 grd 6 6pm available
PROVIDENCE HEIGHTS ALPHA SCHOOL Margaret Ruefle CC 4 7:15am $7,100 Independent Catholic school accepts students of 9000 Babcock Boulevard 412-366-4455 PK to V to 2:30pm to all faiths. Children enjoy Spanish, math, music, art, Allison Park, PA 15101 AlphaSchool.org K 5 yrs CC till 6pm $8,550 writing, reading, technology, swimming and more.
ROYAL OAK NURSERY SCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Lori A. Smith CC 3 7am State licensed • Programs: half/all day, summer, 4413 Mt. Royal Blvd. 412-487-1668 NS, PS to 115 to V before/after school • Specialized art and language Allison Park, PA 15101 royaloaksch.com PK, K 13 yrs 6pm classes • Celebrating 50 Years!
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY Jayme Thompson PK 4 yrs 8:10am $17,725 Small group and experiential learning with instruction 315 Academy Avenue 412-741-2235 K thru V to 3:10pm to that inspires creative and intellectual curiosity, problem Sewickley, PA 15143 sewickley.org X K Ext. Day $19,280 solving, and social responsibility • sewickley.org
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Krissy McGoran PK 3.5 yrs $10,950 Child-centered prgs. promote inquiry, discovery & 620 Squaw Run Rd. East 412-963-1277 K to 50 V to creativity • Purposeful play develops social & cognitive Pittsburgh, PA 15238 shadysideacademy.org X K $17,950 abilities • 1/2 & full-day PK • 17-acre wooded campus
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY JUNIOR SCHOOL Maggie Marquette PK 3.5 yrs $10,950 Child-centered prgs. promote inquiry, discovery & 400 South Braddock Avenue 412-473-4437 K thru 70 V to creativity • Purposeful play develops social & cognitive Pittsburgh, PA 15221 shadysideacademy.org X, SC K $17,950 abilities • 1/2 & full-day PK • 7-acres adjacent to Frick Park
SOLID FOUNDATIONS ACADEMY Beth Rupert CC, SP 6wks SFA offers academic programs for the ENTIRE family 12980 Perry Highway 724-799-8038 PK, PS to 140 V V year-round! Research-proven curriculum. Impressive Wexford, PA 15090 SolidFoundationsAcademy.com K, N Adults facility. We are BUILDING your child’s FUTURE!
ST. RAPHAEL SCHOOL Angela Manchini X 3 $1540 Catholic-centered education accepting children of 1154 Chislett Street 412-661-3100 PS to V V to all faiths • A nurturing environment with a family-like Pittsburgh, PA 15101 [email protected] PK 4 yrs $2980 closeness • Small town feel in an urban setting
TENDER CARE LEARNING CENTERS CC 6 wks 6am “We exist to help children to develop a lifelong love The Early Education Professionals PS to V to V of learning by focusing on your child’s individual 18 Locations throughout Pgh. earlyeducationpros.org PK, N 10 yrs 6:30pm developmental needs.”
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16 AUGUST 2019 early learning PittsburghParent.com PRESCHOOL PREP continued from page 15 Beulah Christian they have a nice variety of foods to PresChool and choose from. The small compartments are visual reminders of where to put Child Care your protein, grain, fruit, dairy and des- Preschool Classes—Ages 2 to 5 yrs. Our goal is to provide a safe and sert. My favorite? Bentology. I like this Yearly Child Care—6 wks. to 5 yrs. positive learning environment brand because it doesn’t warp in the Open 7am - 6pm dishwasher like other brands seem to • Infant thru Kindergarten do. 2500 McCrady Rd. • Churchill/Penn Hills • M - F from 6:30am to 6:30pm Classes are open to all Children regardless • Enrolling for Full Day Pre-K and Kindergarten Getting the right nap mat of raCe, religion or national origin. Make sure your child has a comfort- NAEYC ACCrEditEd • KEYstoNE stArs 4 CENtEr able and portable nap mat to bring to To register call 412-242-4424 priorycourtchildrenscenter.com • 412-487-5758 school. Some include built-in pillows or visit beulahpscc.org 2566 Duncan Avenue • Allison Park, PA (Just off Rt. 8) which are great but not the cushiest. I suggest buying a travel pillow which is relatively smaller than the typical pillow. Royal Oak Years Nursery School & Kindergarten 50 Est. 1967 Now Accepting Enrollment Family Owned & Operated • 7am-6pm State Licensed & Certified Teachers Half/Full Day Education Programs Ages 3 thru 6-years-old Before/After school care
Grab some fabric that represents 4413 Mt. Royal Blvd. Allison Park your child’s interests (let your child help 412-487-1668 • royaloaksch.com you pick this out) and use some fabric glue to make a cover for the travel pil- low. I did this with my four-year-old and it was a hit with her friends. Solid Foundations Academy, LLC Last but not least, hair We are BUILDING your child’s FUTURE! SFA is also BUILDING....follow us on Lice is real part of preschool. It Facebook to see all the latest details on our doesn’t happen to everyone but when new building and programs! it does it’s not fun. I have a few tips on • Kindergarten Enrichment how to keep these little critters away. • Academic Preschool Keep your daughter’s hair in a • Drop-in Childcare ponytail if possible. Lice can jump so • Summer Camps keeping the hair up and away from oth- • Academic Specialty ers is helpful. Services However, if you have a child who • Before/After School Care does not like her hair up and refuses to let you do anything with it (like mine), [email protected] using a spray or shampoo with Tea SolidFoundationsAcademy.com Tree Oil in it is your best bet. Fairytales 724-799-8038 brand is my favorite and the smell is clean and fresh. Now that you’re ready to send your little one off to preschool, you can rest easy knowing he will be set and ready to go. Keep this list handy and add some of your own tips to share with other parents getting ready for their child’s first year. n
This is Meagan Ruffing’s last year of hav- ing a child in preschool. She loves shar- ing fun tips with other parents to help make big milestones like this, easier on everyone.
PittsburghParent.com early learning AUGUST 2019 17 BACK TO SCHOOL ELEMENTARY & SECONDARY
Ten concrete ways to help the new kid in school 10 By Katy M. Clark
eing the new kid in school is a phenomenon that many kids will experience in their lives. School districts and government agencies officially refer to it as “student mobility”, defined as any time a student changes schools for reasons other than grade promotion. Student mobility can be voluntary, such as changing schools to participate in a magnet program or invol- untary, due to a change in a parent’s job. I was the new kid myself several times growing up. I can tell you that I was not thinking about what kind of statistic I was when I Bwas the new kid. All I knew was that I was alone, nervous and scared. The experience of being the new kid has encouraged me to teach my own children to look for the new kids and reach out to them. Below are ten concrete ways I’m teaching my kids to help the new kids in their schools. May these tips be helpful to share with your own children as the school year begins: 1. Recognize that there will be new kids at school, kids who do not know anyone. Look for them, don’t look past them. 2. Say hi. Ask where the new student is from. Does she have any pets or siblings? 3. Sit with the new kid at lunch. 4. Invite the new student to hang out after school. 5. Did I mention just talk to the new kid? It’s okay if you’re not best friends. Maybe you won’t have anything in common. But if you never even talk to the new kid, then you won’t find out if you have anything in common or not. 6. Compliment the new student. Maybe she has a cool backpack. Maybe she’s wearing a shirt with a sports team that is also your favorite sports team. Once when I was the new kid a girl told me she liked my watch band. It was a small comment, but it meant so much to me. 7. Tell the new kid about clubs, sports or other activities at school. One year I was invited to join the basketball team and gained a whole team of friends. 8. Sit with her on the bus or stand with him at the pick-up loop – even if it’s just for a day or two. 9. Help the new student find things like the gym and the cafeteria. 10. Be welcoming and inclusive in group work in class. Remember, the new kid knows no one and things may have run differently at his old school. Parents, teach your kids to look for the new students and take any of these concrete steps to be kind and helpful. As a result, the new kid won’t feel so alone and will be one step closer to finding her way in a new school. And if you see any new moms or dads standing alone at the pick-up loop after school or wandering the halls looking lost?
continued on page 21
18 AUGUST 2019 elementary & secondary PittsburghParent.com COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT Education SPONSORED CONTENT
Providence Heights Alpha School: Excellence. Innovation. Tradition. By Claire Hartman, Director of Admissions at the Providence Heights Alpha School
Since 1927, the families of the Providence Heights Alpha School have watched the North Hills grow from a quiet rural suburb of the city, into a bustling, busy community. So many things have changed in the landscape over the years, but one thing has remained constant; we excel in education! Our students in Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade make their home in this magnificent building and 40-acre campus. There is so much for them here with classrooms, science labs, computer rooms, a library, A STEM lab, a gym, a swimming pool, a private chapel, and a designated Early Learning Center. Students enjoy classes in math, Spanish, computer sciences, art, music, Language Arts and literature, social studies, science, STEM, swimming, P.E., and religion. After school, they can satisfy their passions and interests in our athletic program, afterschool activities, music lessons, our school theatrical productions and academic competitions. We remain committed to small class sizes with teachers who are passionate about what they do. They work closely with children to differentiate daily learning and guarantee curiosity and fun. We teach the whole child and we keep an eye on lifelong learning. Play, hands on investigation, problem solving, and inquiry are a part of the experience. We know that children learn best when they are surrounded by family so our program places each and every person in our building into that dynamic. Our buddy-system matches older students with younger students in a sibling/mentor relationship to engage and interact throughout the year. Students develop relationships with teachers who will continue to instruct them for many years in a row. We even invite our parents and grandparents into school to volunteer! Our active parent associations host a variety of activities throughout the year for our children during their school day, such as the annual Thanksgiving feast, and after school fun such as movie night on the field. Year after year, we have seen this dynamic result in happy, engaged children who launch successfully and confidently into any high school of their choosing, often in honors and AP level courses. But we are more than just our long history of tradition. We made a commitment to innovation many years ago. Our students have Smartboards, laptops, Apple computers, Dell computers,
iPad’s, Eno boards, and EV3 robots at their disposal. They enjoy classroom time inside our STEM Innovation Labs where we challenge them to invent, investigate, make, solve, and imagine. Their projects range from thinking about current world problems such as erosion and flooding, to simply tackling a challenge such as the best design for a marble run. Afterall, todays curious child is tomorrows leader. Our science program culminates with Chemistry and Physics and our Computer Technology classes ask them to invent their own businesses to present to our ‘Shark’. Outside of the academic program, we help our students think about who they are, what they love, how they learn, and how to be what we call Provident People. We speak often of kindness and gratitude, we groom them for leadership but ask them to define what leadership means to them. We challenge them to serve others and look for ways to use their talents to help people around them at home, at school, and eventually in the global community. We invite you to visit our amazing school and our incredible family to talk to us about who we are, how our children learn, and how we remain committed to a vision of teaching how it was always meant to be. Our Open Houses this year allow you to take a stroll around campus with our student ambassadors and ask questions. You can attend a variety of community events at these Open Houses such as our Annual book fair in October. Visit our website to RSVP for our fall Open House on October 9th from 5-7 PM. If you prefer to schedule a private tour during our school day to see our classrooms in action, contact our Admissions Director, Claire Hartman, at [email protected]. We know how to prepare happy, engaged, cherished children, as we have for almost 100 years. We invite you to visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and at www.Alphaschool.org Don’t just go to school; go to Alpha where Excellence, Tradition, and Innovation come together for outstanding results.
9000 Babcock Boulevard, Allison Park, PA 15101 • 412-366-4455 • Alphaschool.org
PittsburghParent.com elementary & secondary AUGUST 2019 19 Co-ed=C Male=M Cyber/Charter=CC Special Needs=S 2019 ELEMENTARY/ Ext. day=X Post Grad=PG Extra Curricular=EC Presch=PS SECONDARY SCHOOL DIRECTORY Female=F Varies=V Gifted=G Grades Enrollment Class Size Tuition Student Body
AQUINAS ACADEMY OF PITTSBURGH Leslie Mitros C, X PS $1,350 Nurturing environment, dedicated faculty, small class 2308 West Hardies Rd. 724-444-0722 EC thru 481 V to sizes, and a proven program for developing your child’s Gibsonia, PA 15044 AquinasAcademy.info PS 12th $11,640 intellectual gifts and moral virtues.
CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Mr. Brian Miller 9th A college preparatory high school guided by the 4720 Fifth Avenue 412-621-7505 M thru 830 13:1 $12,650 principles of St. John Baptist De La Sulle. Men of Faith, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 centralcatholichs.com 12th ratio Scholarship and Service.
COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Sarah DeWitt C, X PS Avg Nurturing, academically excellent Jewish day school 6424 Forward Avenue 412-521-1100 EC thru 285 of V • Co-ed and independent • Extensive athletics, arts Pittsburgh, PA 15217 comday.org G, PS 8th 14 and leadership opportunities • Tuition assistance avail.
EDEN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Nanette Curtis C, X PS Avg Largest independent Christian School in greater Pgh., PS3- Ross Township 412-364-8055 PS thru 670 of V grade 12, providing an exceptional education with rigorous Ohio Township, Wexford EdenChristianAcademy.org EC 12th 15 academics & biblical integration in all aspects of learning.
KENTUCKY AVENUE SCHOOL Aimee DeFoe K 10 $12,100 Progressive curriculum. Experiential, active learning 5701 Fifth Avenue 412-361-5332 C thru 80 to to geared to each child • Diverse, inclusive learning com- Pittsburgh, PA 15232 KentuckyAvenueSchool.org 8th 15 $12,800 munity • Creative, nurturing environment A co-ed, college-prep boarding (grades 7-12) & day LINSLY SCHOOL, THE R.J. Zitzelsberger III 5th 15 $17,400 60 Knox Lane 304-233-1436 C thru 440 to to school (grades 5-12) • Located approximately 1 hr. from Wheeling, WV 26003 linsly.org 12th 18 $41,140 Pittsburgh • Need based financial aid available MONTESSORI CENTRE ACADEMY, INC Yolanda Sweenie 2 yrs Encompasses a Montessori curriculum and the latest 1014 Wm. Flynn Hwy 412-486-6239 C thru 135 V V research in learning. Prg. designed at the gifted level for Glenshaw, PA 15228 6th 4th, 5th & 6th grades. Childcare available for students
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20 AUGUST 2019 elementary & secondary PittsburghParent.com Blessed Trinity Academy
Join us for our Fall 2019 • Full-Day Kindergarten Program • Grades 1st - 8th • Faith Filled Nurturing School Environment Admissions Events! • St. Anthony’s Program • Before & After Care Available • Extra Curricular & Enrichment Opportunities Discover the Catholic Viking for a Day Open House School Difference! nhrces.org/trinity • 412-486-7611 October 11, 2019 November 10, 2019 2510 Middle Road, Glenshaw Register: centralcatholichs.com/admissions Phone: 412.208.3400 4720 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 NEW KID continued from page 18
Then it’s your turn to say hello. Ask where they are from. If you never even talk to the new parents, then you won’t find out if you have anything in common or not. n
Katy M. Clark is a writer who embraces Men of Faith, Men of Scholarship, Men of Service her imperfections as a mom on her blog, ExperiencedBadMom.com.
PittsburghParent.com elementary & secondary AUGUST 2019 21 Co-ed=C Male=M Cyber/Charter=CC Special Needs=S 2019 ELEMENTARY/ Ext. day=X Post Grad=PG Extra Curricular=EC Presch=PS SECONDARY SCHOOL DIRECTORY Female=F Varies=V Gifted=G Grades Enrollment Class Size Tuition Student Body OLNEY FRIENDS SCHOOL Jasmin Ilovar 9th $17,750 College-prep boarding & day school • Integrated, project- 61830 Sandy Ridge Road 740-425-3655 C thru V V to based curriculum • 350-acre organic campus • Diverse and Barnesville, OH 43713 olneyfriends.org 12th $35,500 supportive educational community • Financial aid available
PA CYBER CHARTER SCHOOL C K Innovative and accredited online education for K-12 652 Midland Avenue 1-888-722-9237 CC thru 10,000 V Free • Tuition-free • Flexible curriculum • Southside, Midland, PA 15059 [email protected] 12th Warrendale, and Greensburg offices
PORTERSVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jaime Kobialka C K 15 $6,007 56 years of Distinctively Christian, Academic Excellence. 343 E. Portersville Rd. 724-368-8787 EC thru 250 to to Tuition assist. avail. for qualifying families. Centrally located Portersville, PA 16051 ourPCS.org G 12th 20 $8,330 to Butler, Cranberry & New Castle. Transportation avail.
PROVIDENCE HEIGHTS ALPHA SCHOOL Margaret Ruefle PK $7,100 Independent Catholic school welcomes students of all 9000 Babcock Boulevard 412-366-4455 C thru 160 16 to faiths • Rigorous academics with individual attention Allison Park, PA 15101 AlphaSchool.org 8th $8,550 • Focus on Science and STEM • After school activities
SAINT JOSEPH HIGH SCHOOL Shane Palumbo 9th $10,200 Founded in 1915, the SJHS mission is to graduate men 800 Montana Avenue 724-226-4932 C thru 175 V to and women whose lives are rooted in our core values of Natrona Heights, PA 15065 SaintJosephHS.com 12th $10,500 Sanctity, Justice, Honor and Scholarship.
ST. RAPHAEL SCHOOL Angela Manchini C K Catholic school with lowest tuition in the city • Welcomes 1154 Chislett Street 412-661-3100 X thru 15 V $4,310 students of all faiths • Great community feel, regardless of Pittsburgh, PA 15101 [email protected] PS 8th where you live • Safe, enclosed campus in the city
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY Andrew McMillen C, PS PS $17,725 In our dynamic Pre-K-12 setting, we support students to 315 Academy Avenue 412-741-2235 EC thru 625 15 to become their best selves by challenging them to explore Sewickley, PA 15143 sewickley.org X 12th $29,900 & excel to their highest abilities.
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL Krissy McGoran C PK $10,950 Strong academic program includes Singapore Math & Writing 620 Squaw Run Road East 412-963-1277 X thru 118 15 to Workshop • Small classes & nurturing faculty allow for differen- Pittsburgh, PA 15238 shadysideacademy.org 5th $22,500 tiated instruction & enrichment • 17-acre wooded campus
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY JUNIOR SCHOOL Maggie Marquette C PK $10,950 Strong academic prg. includes Singapore Math & Writing Work- 400 South Braddock Avenue 412-473-4437 X thru 270 15 to shop • Small classes & nurturing faculty allow for differentiated Pittsburgh, PA 15221 shadysideacademy.org 5th $22,500 instruction & enrichment • 7-acre campus adjacent to Frick Park
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Jeff Gross 6th Challenging, balanced academic prg. • Wide range of 500 Squaw Run Road East 412-968-3164 C thru 192 15 $27,200 arts & athletic offerings • 30-acre campus with 2 athletic Pittsburgh, PA 15238 shadysideacademy.org 8th fields • 1:1 iPad program • 8:1 student-teacher ratio
SHADY SIDE ACADEMY SENIOR SCHOOL Bob Grandizio Jr. 9th College prep • Focus on critical thinking, writing & analyti- 423 Fox Chapel Road 412-968-3180 C thru 430 15 $31,975 cal skills • Extensive arts & athletic offerings • 130-acre Pittsburgh, PA 15238 shadysideacademy.org 12th college-like campus • New science & technology facilities
TRINITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mrs. Brenda Kirkland K 15 $4,750 Classical Christian education; college prep • WPIAL sports 299 Ridge Avenue 412-242-8886 C thru 310 to to • Visual & Performing Arts • Band & Choir • Serving East Pittsburgh, PA 15221 trinitychristian.net 12th 25 $8,140 Pittsburgh and surrounding areas for over 65 years
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22 AUGUST 2019 elementary & secondary PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com elementary & secondary AUGUST 2019 23 SteamForward Ann K. Howley
SciTech Days at the Carnegie Science Center
very March and November, the Carnegie Science Center (CSC) hosts a four-day STEM-fest for middle and high schoolers. SciTech Days is an opportunity for lucky students to spend a morning at CSC to participate in workshops and programs that feature the growth areas of Pittsburgh, like biotech, nanotechnology, IT, robotics and environmental technology. When I visited in March, CSC buzzed with energy and Eexcitement as kids, teachers and chaperones swarmed around tables and interactive exhibits from leading STEM companies and higher education organizations. The real fun started when CSC em- ployee, Kaitlyn Zurcher, escorted me into a long quiet hallway with classrooms on either side. Inside each room, volunteer professors, engineers and other professionals joined CSC educators to present workshops on various STEM topics. Signs posted outside each door indicated subjects like: • Roots, Shoots and Solutes • OUTBREAK! Biotech Workshop • Ecosystems, Toxins and Your Health • CSI Workshop – Art & Science of the Heist
“Which one do you want to try?” Kaitlyn asked me. One? They all sounded interesting. Here were my favorites:
What’s the buzz: Bees and the ecosystem
A small group of teens are studying dozens of deceased bee bodies stuck with pins in a shadowbox display. Some of these creatures, which come from all over the world, don’t even look like bees to me. I thought those big, bright blue insects were horseflies and I couldn’t believe those tiny gnats were actu- ally bees. “When I was in the third grade, I learned that worker bees are all female,” one boy says. “That’s right,” replies the instructor, an enthusiastic woman wearing a red CSC shirt. She explains that there are at least 20,000 species of bees and those worker girl bees produce only a quarter teaspoon of honey during their short lifespans. It surprises me that it takes a whopping 40 liters of wax to build a hive. That’s a lot of bees. The drones, all boys, serve only one purpose in their lives and that is to impregnate a queen, but not in their own colony. “That’s their mother,” the instructor delicately points out. Unfortunately, the drones that are lucky enough to “visit” a neighboring queen die after mating. Poor guys.
Resistance fighting disease with nanotech
“What are you doing?” I whisper to four girls who are huddled around a computer playing a game. “We’re trying to figure out a way to prevent people from getting infected with MRSA,” one whispers back. The object of the game is to select a combination of actions, like Disinfect, Basic Medical Care or Hygiene Training, to fight the infection. Based on their choices, the running, onscreen tally of how many people are “infected” with MRSA goes up or down. It sounds easy, but no matter what course of action the girls se- lect, the number of sick people increases. At first, the tally showed five sick people, but it rose to nine infected souls by the time they hit the red Try Again? button for the umpteenth time. “Are you getting frustrated?” the instructor asks the group. “Yes!” respond fourteen good sports. The instructor describes how scientists combat diseases using nanomaterials, which are tiny particles that can only be seen by a super powerful microscope.
continued on page 26
24 AUGUST 2019 elementary & secondary PittsburghParent.com DISCOVER
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PittsburghParent.com elementary & secondary AUGUST 2019 25 STEAM continued from page 24
Now these kids know that if Nano- technology was one of their options, they wouldn’t have had to press that Try Again? button so many times.
Augmented reality virtual reality lab
This has to be the most popular workshop because every seat is taken. At the front of the room, a couple of kids wear cumbersome headsets and wave their arms in response to things nobody else can see. The rest of the kids, seated around about a dozen tables, laugh and talk as they fiddle with iPads and cardboard boxes with programmed iPhones inside.
“Hey, I’m in a business meeting,” a boy exclaims as he holds a box up to his face like an old fashioned View Master. “I know, right, bro?” another boy responds. A nice girl lets me look in her box to watch a video of a white-robed instruc- tor teaching a group of kids seated in a circle and I chat with a volunteer, who explains how virtual reality can be inte- grated into the classroom. It is so noisy in the room I have a hard time hearing Come see what the ‘204’ her explanation. section is all about! No matter. The volume and enthu- Mark your calendar! siasm in every room prove that SciTech Schedule your private Days is a great field trip for kids. n OPEN HOUSES tour anytime! * Photo credit BeckyThurner Sunday, October 27 Contact Admissions Director Mrs. Shane Palumbo ‘92: 724-226-4932 • [email protected] 12 - 2pm After visiting SciTech Days, writer Ann K. Howley was excited to share interesting Wednesday, November 13 bee facts with her husband. “Did you 5 - 7pm Saint Joseph High School is closer than know the stinger is part of a bee’s fe- male reproductive system?” she asked. Students in all grades are you might think! invited to meet students, “Ouch,” he said. parents, and teachers and tour the SJHS campus 800 Montana Avenue with their families. Natrona Heights, PA 15065 SaintJosephHS.com
26 AUGUST 2019 elementary & secondary PittsburghParent.com BACK TO SCHOOL ENRICHMENT
Keeping kids active when they avoid team sports By Sarah Lyons
eam sports are a great way to keep kids active but not all kids enjoy playing them. When kids avoid team sports, parents look for other ways their children can continue to be healthy and active. How can you get your kids moving around when they aren’t part of a sports team? Encourage lifelong activities – Choose activities that have the potential for lifelong enjoy- Tment such as biking, swimming, walking and hiking. These activities are great because while they can be done individually, for a lifetime, they also can be enjoyed as a family. Encourage everyone to go on a walk or bike ride together, hike in a local park or spend the day at the pool. Get a step counter for each family member and create a friendly competition to see who can get the most steps. Go outside – Simply getting your kids outside can be a great way to sneak in exercise. Visit a local park, encourage them to climb trees, swing or play tag. Have your child go on a “trea- sure hunt” in the backyard and collect items that interest them like sticks, rocks, flowers or leaves. Catching fireflies in the summer, building a snowman in the winter or raking leaves in the fall all help kids to be active while not playing a sport.
Individual sports – Just because your child does not enjoy team sports does not mean they may not enjoy an individual sport. Gymnastics, swimming, track and field, wrestling, diving, archery, golf or weight lifting are all good examples of individual sports where children compete against themselves. Limit screen time – When screen time is allowed, try to encourage them to move while they are watching television. If a song comes on, get up and dance or march along. If they are playing video games, encourage games that involve movement. If the child is sedentary while enjoying screen time, ask them to complete some sort of activity like chores or outdoor play before they turn the television or tablet on.
Set an example – Children learn by example. If the parent has a low activity level the child will most likely see exercise as a low priority. Lead by example and get moving. Begin an exercise routine or a hobby that includes movement, like gardening and invite your child to join you. Make the most of the time together.
Dance and theater – Turn on the music and have a family dance party. There is nothing like a great song to get a body moving. Dancing is fun and it’s great exercise too. Some children may also enjoy trying dance classes, baton twirling or cheerleading. All of these are a great source of exercise. If your child is drawn to music and theater get them involved in a theater production in school or your community.
Find a new hobby – Encourage your child to find a hobby that encourages movement and activity such as skate- boarding, fishing, bowling and wood-
continued on page 29 PittsburghParent.com enrichment AUGUST 2019 27 7031 Crider Road • Mars, PA 16046 • 724-625-6676 Matilda The Musical August 15 - 17, 7:30pm • August 18, 2pm Butler Community College, Succop Theater 107 College Dr., Butler PA 16001 Order tickets online at bataviastudios.com under Forms Wizard of Oz Fall Musical Program Special on registration: 100.00 off by August 15 175.00 regular registration Rehearsals: Saturdays 1:30 - 5:30pm Starting September 28
Register online at bataviastudios.com/wizardofoz
Fall Private Lessons Piano • Voice • Ukulele • Guitar • Woodwinds • Brass • Strings • Drums • Drama • Musical Theater • Art Lessons in all Media
Registration online at bataviastudios.com
Now accepting students for MUSICMUSIC the 2019-2020 PREPARATORYPREPARATORY school year. SCHOOLSCHOOL
At the CARNEGIE MELLON MUSIC PREPARATORY SCHOOL, professional musicians and educators train talented Pittsburgh area children, aged 4 through 18, offering private lessons in piano or strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), guitar or percussion. Comprehensive classes are taught in Dalcroze Eurhythmics, Musicianship, Theory and Composition, Improvisation and Solfege.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: 412-268-3667 | [email protected] music.cmu.edu
28 AUGUST 2019 enrichment PittsburghParent.com TEAM SPORTS continued from page 27 working. If the child is doing something they enjoy they won’t even notice they are also exercising. Play – Leisure sports can be more fun for kids that don’t care for team sports because they are less competitive and therefore have less pressure to perform at a higher level. Encouraging kids to play gets them active. Playing frisbee or frisbee golf, tag, catch, shooting hoops and duck duck goose all require kids to run around. They will be having so much fun they won’t notice they are exercising. Chores – Chores are a great way to get kids active and teach them the value of hard work at the same time. Ask your child to clean their room, vacuum, mow the lawn or sweep. Consider paying them an allowance for more motivation. While team sports have many benefits, they are not for everyone. Kids who do not enjoy team sports don’t have to be less ac- tive. With these tips, kids will enjoy an active lifestyle that can be maintained for a lifetime. n
Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer from Olathe, Ks.
Acting=A Learning Support=LS Sports=SP Arts=AR Martial Arts=MA Tutoring=T Computer=CT Music=M Varie=V 2019 ENRICHMENT DIRECTORY Dance=D Music Theater=MT Voice=VO Etiquette=E Play/movement=P Gymnastics=G Science=S
Program Ages Class size Enrollment Tuition Language=L Special Needs=S ALL ABOUT DANCE Teresa Stofesky 2 yrs Emphasizing dance in a positive nurturing environment 1789 S. Braddock Ave. 412-343-3105 D to V V V • Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Company Pittsburgh, PA 15218 allaboutdancestudio.com adult • Pre-School Sept. - May • Summer dance camp
BATAVIA STUDIOS Urmi Batavia A, M 3 yrs Art, musical theater, drama, voice and instrumental 7031 Crider Rd. 724-625-6676 MT to V V V lessons in piano, percussion, guitar, strings, brass and Mars, PA 16046 bataviastudios.com VO adult woodwinds. Private lessons in music and art available.
CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER Inspiring, hands-on camps and workshops all about One Allegheny Avenue 412-237-3400 S V V V V robotics, outer space, digital fabrication, chemical Pittsburgh, PA 15212 CarnegieScienceCenter.org concoctions, engineering, and more!
CENTER FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS 724-935-0505 M 2 yrs small Music instruction for all ages! Piano, Guitar, Cello, Wexford, Sewickley, [email protected] P to S/T V V Violin, Viola, Voice. Early Childhood Music, Music Shadyside & Fox Chapel youngmusicians.org VO Adult ratio Literacy, Performing Groups, Workshops & Camps
GYMKHANA GYMNASTICS G 6 mths Unique environment emphasizing F-U-N-damentals Bethel Park, 412-833-6190 • Monroeville/Plum, 724-325-1700 P to V V V • Children explore/expand physical, emotional & Point Breeze, 412-247-4800 • Wexford, 412-366-3800 gymkhanafun.com adult social awareness through gymnastics
SALTWORKS STUDIO THEATER Norma Alrutz 10 A place for youth to create original theater • Year- 569 N. Neville Street 412-621-6150 x205 A to 6 - 12 V V round classes, camps, and workshops • All experience Pittsburgh, PA 15213 saltworks.org 16 yrs levels welcome and scholarships available
PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE SCHOOL Holly Bedford 18 mths The official training institution of Pittsburgh Ballet 2900 Liberty Ave. 412-281-6727 D to V V V Theatre • Budding ballet dancers exercise both their Pittsburgh, PA 15201 [email protected] adult bodies and imaginations • pbt.org/pbt-school
PITTSBURGH CLO ACADEMY OF MUSICAL THEATER A, D, G 3 small Dance, voice & acting training in a positive, fun class 130 CLO Academy Way 412-281-2234 M, MT to S/T V V setting. Private lessons available for piano, voice, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 [email protected] P, VO Adult ratio acting & College Auditions.
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Visit PittsburghParent.com Family Resource Directory – After School & Enrichment Activities
PittsburghParent.com enrichment AUGUST 2019 29 Saltworks Studio A Place for Youth to Create Original Theater
• Classes, camps, and workshops for ages 10-16 • All experience levels welcome • Scholarships available
Fall classes begin in September
569 N. Neville Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-621-6150 x205 www.saltworks.org
Do you provide programs for After School & Enrichment Activities?
We welcome you to list your business in our RESOURCE DIRECTORY at pittsburghparent.com!
Go to “RESOURCE DIRECTORIES” and select “Information about free or paid listings” - then pick “ After School & Enrichment Activities.”
30 AUGUST 2019 enrichment PittsburghParent.com BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL NEEDS
Educating Students Could your child’s reading For Success in By Sarah Lyons a Changing World difficulty be dyslexia? d sly xiae
hildren learn to read at their own pace but if your child is struggling to make significant progress as compared to their peers, it may be possible they have a reading disability called dyslexia. According to Mayo Clinic, “Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty Creading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how to relate to letters and words. Dyslexia affects areas of the brain that process language” (www.mayoclinic. org). Symptoms of dyslexia may include: • Speech delay, trouble learning words, problems forming words correctly or reversing sounds or words that sound alike. Spectrum Charter School is built on the ideals that • Reading well below the expected level for age, difficulty every child deserves a strong education and the with spelling, difficulty reading aloud. support so they can reach their greatest potential. • Trouble remembering sequences or identifying rhyming Our school provides a learning environment structured words, reversing letters or numbers. to meet the needs of students who do not learn • Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that well in traditional classrooms due to cognitive, involve reading and writing or avoiding these activities. communication and sensory challenges – including autism spectrum disorder. People who struggle with dyslexia have normal intelligence and can succeed in school and careers with proper tutoring ~Celebrating Education & Community Service Since 1999~ and support. So how do you go about helping your child succeed? 4360 Northern Pike | Monroeville At school 412-374-3180 • SpectrumCSI.org • Ask for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. In most states, schools are required to provide spe- cialized support for kids diagnosed with dyslexia. Talk to your child’s teachers about setting up a meeting with educators to help your child be successful at school. • Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. If parents and teachers work together, it is easier to support your child through the challenges they may be facing when it comes to homework and school. Check in with your child’s teacher regularly and encourage them to reach out if the interventions
continued on page 32
PittsburghParent.com special needs AUGUST 2019 31 DYSLEXIA continued from page 31
put in place don’t seem to be helping your child make adequate growth. At home • Consider tutoring. Individual help from a tutor can really give your child a boost in their reading skills because it can be tailored to your child’s needs and learning style. • Early intervention has been proven to help kids strug- gling with dyslexia. As soon as you notice a problem, talk to your child’s doctor. • Encourage reading. Take turns reading aloud to your child, model good reading habits, and add reading to everyday activities (cooking, games, or instructions). Turn off electronics and add reading time to your day.
Be supportive • Encourage your child’s efforts and be supportive of them as they work through challenges. • Talk to them about what they are struggling with and discuss ideas that will help solve problems they may be facing. • Join a support group or see a counselor. Having people around you that understand what you are going through and offer sup- port can be a big help as you learn how to be a support your child. • Support learning at home. Provide a clean, organized and quiet place to study and offer help as needed. If you believe your child may have dyslexia, talk to your doctor about testing, resources and support. There is no single test that can determine if your child has dyslexia. Your doctor may use a combination of questionnaires, medical history, psychological evaluations and academic testing to determine a dyslexia diagnosis. Early intervention and a good partnership between parents and teachers are key to helping kids feel confident and successful in school and in future careers. n
Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer from Olathe, KS
Autism Spectrum=A Learning Disability=L Developmental Physically 2019 SPECIAL EDUCATION Delays=D Challenged=P Gifted=G Speech/Language=S DIRECTORY Hearing Impaired=H Varies=V
Program Ages Class size Enrollment Tuition Mentally Challenged=M Visually Impaired=I
DEPAUL SCHOOL FOR HEARING & SPEECH Ruth G. Auld, EdD H Birth 3 Free Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) education 6202 Alder Street 412-924-1012 S to to 65+ with for children who are deaf or hard of hearing in Pittsburgh, PA 15206 depaulhearingandspeech.org 15 yrs 6 approval preparation for success in the mainstream.
LAUGHLIN CHILDREN’S CENTER Ann Felter D 3 1 Laughlin Children’s Center values the whole child. 424 Frederick Avenue 412-741-4087 G to to open V Providing speech, occupational & psychological therapy, Sewickley, PA 15143 laughlincenter.org S 18 yrs 1 academic tutoring & a nationally-accredited PS.
PACE SCHOOL Admissions & Info A 5 8 Pace School makes success accessible for every 2432 Greensburg Pike paceschool.org • 412-244-1900 D to to 130 V child, combining character education and traditional Pittsburgh, PA 15221 [email protected] M 21 yrs 12 academics. Pace serves students from 46+ districts.
PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE Kathryn Gigler A 5 Adaptive Dance emphasizes creative movement 2900 Liberty Ave. 412-454-9105 • pbt.org D to V V V principles and modified ballet technique in a Pittsburgh, PA 15201 [email protected] 21 yrs welcoming and structured studio environment.
PITTSBURGH CLO ACADEMY OF MUSICAL THEATER H, M 6 yrs small CLO Academy’s New Horizons Program offers children 130 CLO Academy Way 412-281-2234 P, I to s/t V V and adults with physical or developmental disabilities Pittsburgh, PA 15222 [email protected] S, D, A Adult ratio the opportunity to take center stage.
SPECTRUM CHARTER SCHOOL Michelle Johnson A, D 13 2 Pd. Via An approved public Charter School educating 4369 Northern Pike 412-374-8130 M to to 32 home students with autism spectrum disorder, including Monroeville, PA 15146 spectrumcsi.org L 21 yrs 8 district cognitive, communication & sensory challenges.
W PA SCHOOL FOR BLIND CHILDREN Jillian Pritts D, M 3 Enrolling students with visual impairment and multiple 201 N Bellefield Avenue 412-621-0100 S, H to 7 175 N/A disabilities • Outreach services for youth with visual Pittsburgh, PA 15213 wpsbc.org P, I 21 yrs impairment throughout the region
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32 AUGUST 2019 special needs PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com special needs AUGUST 2019 33 Around& About AUGUST Thursday | 1 Oliver Location: Succop Theater, BC3 Pittsburgh Parent Virtual Camp Expo Time: August 2 - 4 2 Cost: $$ • visitbutlercounty.com Visit our website PittsburghParent.com and Friday click on the Virtual Camp Expo, the expo runs EQT Three Rivers Regatta until the end of August Location: Point State Park, Pittsburgh Time: August 2 - 4 Summer Reading 2019 Cost: FREE • yougottaregatta.org Location: Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Time: Thru August 31 Cost: FREE • carnegielibrary.org Saturday | 3 Read your way across the galaxy! 1. Create an account Movies in the Park - Mary Poppins 2. Register to earn your first badge Returns 3. Log your reading to earn prizes, free Location: North Park Boathouse Lawn books and raffle tickets. Winnie-the-Pooh Time: August 3, 7pm Cost: FREE • alleghenycounty.us/summer Fayette County Fair Location: Little Lake Theatre Co., Family activities, arts & crafts and fun. Location: Pechin Rd., Dunbar Canonsburg Activities start at 7pm and the movie starts Time: Thru August 3 Time: W, F & S, thru August 17 at sundown. Cost: $$ • fayettefair.com Cost: $$ Great Outdoors Day 2019 Portersville Steam Show littlelake.org Location: North Park Tennis Court Road Location: Portersville Steam Show Grounds When friend Piglet gets roped into Time: August 3, Noon - 4pm Time: August 1 - 4 Kanga’s household and Kanga starts Cost: FREE • alleghenycounty.us/summer Cost: $$ • portersvillesteamshow.org bathing him (with soap!) and forcing Spend an exciting afternoon learning about down spoonfuls of Strengthening Free Family Outdoor Discovery Series the camping, hiking, local animals, fishing, Medicine, Pooh wants to fly to the Location: Oddfellows Shelter, Alameda Park, Butler biking, hands-on activities & more. Time: August 1, 8 & 15, 6:30pm rescue, but he’s had so many snacks he Moraine State Park Regatta Cost: FREE • bcpr.recdesk.com gets stuck in the door. Location: Moraine State Park, Portersville Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park Friendly Fire Friday Time: August 3 - 4 Location: Various Locations. Visit website. Location: Fort Ligonier, Ligonier Cost: FREE • lakearthurregatta.org Time: Thru August 30, dusk Time: Fridays thru September 6 Summer Event Series Cost: FREE • pittsburghpa.gov/events/cinema Cost: FREE • fortligonier.org Location: Eden Hall Campus, Gibsonia Roving Art Cart Summersounds Time: August 3, 6:30 - 9:30pm Location: Various Locations, visit website Location: Maple Avenue, Greensburg Cost: FREE • chatham.edu/summerseries Time: Thru August 9, Tue - Fri, 10am - 1pm Time: Fridays thru September 13 Movie in the Park: Lion King Cost: FREE • pittsburghpa.gov/citiparks Cost: FREE • summersounds.com Location: New Wilmington Borough Park The Roving Art Cart visits neighborhood Time: August 3, Dusk parks and playgrounds near you. Paint, CCAE Movie Night - How to Train Your Cost: FREE • livenewwilmington.com/events sculpt, bead & create a summer of magic and Dragon: Hidden World fun. Also enjoy special guests & entertainers. Location: 1217 7th Ave., Beaver Falls Time: August 2, Dusk Sunday | 4 2019 Fort Armstrong Folk Festival Cost: FREE • centerforcreativeartsexpression.org Location: Kittanning Riverfront Park Time: August 1 - 4 Allegheny County Summer Concerts Bach, Beethoven & Brunch Cost: $$ • armstrongfestival.com Location: South Park Amphitheater Location: Mellon Park – Fifth Avenue and Time: August 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 7:30pm Shady Avenue, Point Breeze/Squirrel Hill Cost: FREE • Alleghenycounty.us/specialevents Time: Sundays thru August 11, 10:30am - Noon Speedfreak Motor Sports Concert Series Cost: FREE • pittsburghpa.gov/events/concerts Location: Pullman Park Field Parking Lot Summer Band Concerts Time: 7pm, Fridays thru September 27 Location: Ligonier Cost: FREE • visitbutlercounty.com Time: 7pm, Sundays thru August 25 Cost: FREE • laurelhighlands.org
34 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com Storytime & More Location: Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector Time: 2pm, 1st Sunday of each month 500 Lakeside Drive Cost: FREE • Ages 3 - 9 • carnegiemnh.org Canonsburg, PA 15317 Discover the wonders of nature through a 724.745.6300 picture book, game, craft or nature walk. www.littlelake.org Allegheny County Summer Concerts Location: Hartwood Acres Park Amphitheater Time: August 4, 11, 18 & 25, 7:30pm Cost: FREE • Alleghenycounty.us/specialevents Western PA Ride for Kids Open the door Location: Seneca Valley High School Time: August 4, 8:30am Cost: $$ • team.curethekids.org to new worlds... Monday | 5
The Twelve Dancing Princesses WINNIE - THE - POOH | July 31 - Aug. 17 Location: South Park Theatre Children’s Theatre Adapted by Kristin Sergel, based on the stories by A.A. Milne Time: M-T-W, thru August 7 Pooh finds himself involved in all sorts of adventures assisted by his friends; Eeyore, Cost: $$ • sites.google.com/a/southparktheatre. Piglet and Rabbit. However, his passion for honey keeps getting him into trouble. com/south-park-theatre/children-s-theatre- shows THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE | Sept. 21 - Oct. 20 Butler Farm Show Dramatized by Joseph Robinette from the story by C.S. Lewis Location: Butler Farm Show Grounds, Butler Discover the magic and mystery of Aslan, the great lion, his struggle with the evil Time: August 4 - 10 White Witch, and the adventures of four children who inadvertently wander from an Cost: $$ • butlerfarmshow.com old wardrobe into the exciting, never-to-be-forgotten Narnia.
Wednesday | 7 Winnie-the-Pooh is produced with special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.The Lion, the Witch and the Ward- robe is produced with special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Movies in the Park - Spider-Man: Into Company of Woodstock, Illinois. the Spider-Verse Location: South Park Amphitheater Time: August 7, 7pm Star Parties Saturday | 10 Location: North Park Boathouse Lawn Location: Wagman Obsy., Deer Lakes Park Time: August 10, 7pm Time: August 9 & 10 Vicary Day Cost: FREE • alleghenycounty.us/summer Location: Mingo Creek Obsy., Mingo Creek Park Family activities, arts & crafts and fun. Location: The William Vicary Mansion, Freedom Time: August 9 & 10 Time: August 10, 10am - 5pm Activities start at 7pm and the movie starts Cost: FREE • 3ap.org at sundown. Cost: FREE • bchrlf.org DICK’S Sporting Goods PONY League Luau Night Swim Holy Spirit Parish Festival World Series Location: ARMCO Park, Slippery Rock Location: St. Vitus Catholic Church Location: Lew Hays Field, Washington, PA Time: August 7 - 10 Time: August 10, 7:30 - 10pm Time: August 9 - 15 Cost: $$ • armcopark.bcfymca.org Cost: FREE • visitlawrencecounty.com Cost: $$ • plws.org/ponyworldseries VegFest Movies in the Park: Ralph Breaks the Wednesday Night Concert Series Location: Allegheny Commons East, Pittsburgh Internet Location: Schenley Park – Flagstaff Hill Time: August 10, 11am - 5pm Location: Marshall Twp. Park, Wexford Time: Wednesdays thru August 28, 7 - 8pm - Cost: $$ • facebook.com/PittsburghVegFest (followed by Cinema in the Park) Time: August 9 Cost: FREE • pittsburghpa.gov/events/concerts Cost: FREE • twp.marshall.pa.us Movie in Graham Park: Pinocchio Sunday | 11 Location: Graham Park, Cranberry Twp. Time: August 7, 8:30pm Washington County Agricultural Fair Cost: FREE • cranberrytownship.org Location: Washington County Fairgrounds Time: August 11 - 17 Tuesday | 9 Cost: $$ • washingtonfair.org/site2/index.html Macy’s Elephant Day Highlighted events have an San Rocco Festa Location: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Location: Fred Taddeo Park, Aliquippa advertisement within the publication Time: August 11, 11am - 2pm Time: August 9 - 11 (*PR) – Pre-registration required Cost: $$ • pittsburghzoo.org Cost: $$ • sanrocco.org $$ – Cost involved National Pike Steam, Gas & Horse Show Please visit the website of the event Location: 222 Spring Rd, Brownsville to confirm before you go. All events Time: August 9 - 11 & costs are subject to change. Cost: $$ • nationalpike.com continued on page 36 PittsburghParent.com AUGUST 2019 35 CALENDAR continued from page 35 Little Italy Days Thursday | 22 Location: Bloomfield Time: August 15 - 18 Just Between Friends Sale Down Syndrome Association of Cost: $$ • littleitalydays.com Location: Monroeville Convention Center - Pittsburgh Idlewild Day South Hall Location: Idlewild & SoakZone, Ligonier Maltilda The Musical Time: August 22 - 25 Time: August 11, 10am - 4pm Location: Butler Community College, Cost: FREE admission with ad Cost: $$ • (*PR) dsapgh.org/events Succop Theater Take on some of Idlewild’s rides, venture Time: August 15 - 17, 7:30pm; August 18, 2pm jbfsale.com through Story Book Forest, or splash through Cost: $$ Shop the savings event where local SoakZone. Reserved pavilion for dinner and bataviastudio.com families get WAY MORE for MUCH LESS! check out some of the special surprises.
Kids Eat FREE Every Sunday Friday | 16 Friday | 23 Location: Washington Wild Things, 1 Washington Federal Way, Washington, PA Time: Sunday home games thru Aug. 25 Free Summer Concert Series Night at the Movies Cost: FREE • washingtonwildthings.com Location: Community Park Amphitheater, Location: Townsend Park, New Brighton Kids with an activated Kids Membership card Cranberry Twp. Time: August 23, Dusk will receive a FREE ticket and FREE meal at Time: August 16, Noon Cost: FREE • nbarc.net every Sunday home game! Cost: FREE • cranberrytownship.org Friday Night Flicks - The Lego Movie 2 Location: Peterswood Park Amphitheater, Movie in the Park Peters Twp. Monday | 12 Location: Pine Community Center, Wexford Time: August 23, Dusk Time: August 16, 5pm Cost: FREE • peterstownship.com Lawrence County Fair Cost: FREE • twp.pine.pa.us Location: Lawrence County Fairgrounds, New Castle Ligonier Summer Movie - Snow White Saturday | 24 Time: August 12 - 17 Location: Rt. 381, Rector Cost: $$ • lawrencecountyfair.com Time: August 16, Dusk Marshall Twp. Community Day Cost: FREE • ligonier.com/event Location: Knob Hill Park Tuesday | 13 Time: August 24, 3pm - fireworks Saturday | 17 Cost: FREE • twp.marshall.pa.us Sensory Friendly Afternoon Location: Children’s Museum Pittsburgh Super Science Saturday: Pet-Palooza Tuesday | 27 Time: August 13, 1 - 5pm Location: Carnegie Museum of Natural History Cost: $$ • pittsburghkids.org Time: August 17, Noon - 4pm Big Knob Grange Fair Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders Cost: $$ • carnegiemnh.org Location: Grange Rd., New Sewickley Twp. and Sensory Sensitivities can enjoy a fun, Create a toy for your fury friend, something Time: August 27 - 31 friendly experience. special for your winged wonder or a treat for Cost: $$ • bigknobgrangefair.org your scaly pal all while learning more about North Washington Rodeo the pets in our lives! Location: North Washington Rodeo, Petrolia Wednesday | 28 Time: August 13 - 17 Tuesday | 20 Cost: $$ • nwvfd.com/rodeo.html The Great Stoneboro Fair Location: 2381 Mercer Road ,Stoneboro Wednesday | 14 Hookstown Fair Time: August 28 - September 2 Location: Hookstown Fairgrounds Cost: $$ • stoneborofair.info Time: August 20 - 24 Movies in the Park - Ralph Breaks the Cost: $$ • hookstownfair.com Internet Saturday | 31 Location: South Park Amphitheater Wednesday | 21 Time: August 14, 7pm Touch-A-Truck Location: North Park Boathouse Lawn Location: Middlesex VFC, Brownshill Rd., Valencia Time: August 17, 7pm Movies in the Park - Captain Marvel Time: August 31, Noon - 4pm Cost: FREE • alleghenycounty.us/summer Location: Deer Lakes Park Wagman Observ. Cost: FREE • 724-898-1480 Family activities, arts & crafts and fun. Time: August 21, 7pm Activities start at 7pm and the movie starts Cost: FREE • alleghenycounty.us/summer Wiffleball with Dad at sundown. Family activities, arts & crafts and fun. Location: Pine Community Center, Wexford Activities start at 7pm and the movie starts Time: August 31, 1 - 4pm • Ages 7 - 11 Movie in Graham Park: Lego Batman Cost: FREE • twp.pine.pa.us Location: Graham Park, Cranberry Twp. at sundown. Time: August 14, 8:30pm Back to School Bash Cost: FREE • cranberrytownship.org Location: Chippewa United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, Beaver Falls Thursday | 15 Time: August 21, 4 - 6pm Cost: FREE • visitbeavercounty.com Little League World Series Movie in Graham Park: The Mighty Ducks Please submit info for our September Location: South Williamsport, PA Location: Graham Park, Cranberry Twp. Calendar by August 9 Time: August 15 - 25 Time: August 21, 8:30pm [email protected] Cost: $$ • littleleague.org Cost: FREE • cranberrytownship.org
36 AUGUST 2019 PittsburghParent.com Bethel Park Monroeville 412-831-7070 412-372-8602 Cranberry Mt. Lebanon/Scott Twp. 724-772-0598 412-279-1077 Green Tree Murrysville 412-928-9628 724-519-9096 Hampton New Castle 412-486-5510 724-656-9350 Hermitage Robinson 724-962-1998 412-444-4600 Your Child. Our Care. Their Future. Jefferson Ross 412-469-3188 412-683-1779 Lower Burrell Shadyside 724-339-7546 412-683-1779 McCandless Wexford 412-367-3269 724-934-0411 Meadowlands Whitehall 724-222-2600 412-881-6720
Learn more about Tender Care Learning Centers at www.EarlyEducationPros.org