DECEMBER 2019

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 1

CreateIt Sponsored by Carnegie Science Center

Christmas Light Science Activity Educate your young Einstein on how to complete a light circuit!

Materials

• String of lights • Scissors • 9-volt battery Steps

1. Take the string of and cut the green wire so only two lights are connected 2. Cut about 1cm off the plastic wire casting so the wires are exposed on both ends (Parents: Do this part of the activity and discuss wire safety) Fun Fact 3. Hold one end of the wire to the positive end of the battery and the other to the Your early learner created a circuit! Two wires connect to the negative end light. For electrons to produce light, there must be a complete NOTE: There is no electrical shock with this activity; circuit so they can flow through however, parental supervision is advised. the light bulb and back out.

Your holiday HEADQUARTERS for familyFUN! Celebrate with favorite miniatures, movies, and messes!

All Aboard! Miniature Railroad & Village®* Now–Jan. 1 th Celebrate the 100 Anniversary of the Holiday Magic Laser Shows: Enjoy a renowned Miniature Railroad and see festive laser show that’s perfect for families, this year’s new model – the historic featuring traditional and contemporary Kaufmann’s department store replicated versions of your favorite holiday music. in glorious detail! Wed., Jan. 1 . 10 am–5 pm Sat., Dec. 7 MessFest*: A New Year’s Day tradition! Elf: The Sleepover: See the Get slimy, yucky, ooey, and gooey! Experiment holiday classic Elf in The Rangos Giant with Oobleck, enjoy a “pi” eating contest, or Cinema, carry out festive science engineer an egg to survive a fall. experiments, and create a delicious hot chocolate concoction. Presented by: Sponsored by: * Included with general admission

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 1 Number 12 Volume 32 DECEMBER 6 what’s inside your community 16 parenting resource for over 30 years!

in this issue

1 CreateIt 10 CoverStory Christmas light science activity A celebration for every reason

4 Editor’sNote 16 EducationConnection Holiday traditions – make Resolutions: Find out how your memories children are doing in school

6 SteamForward 36 Around& About Best STEM Buds Calendar of activities & events 32 8 HumorMe Angels do exist (at the grocery store)

featured topics special section 18 Are you considering a boarding school? 18 - 20 Boarding Schools 21 Survival guide for raising a child after losing one 22 - 25 Higher Education – Navigating the Future 22 Eight great college prep apps 26 - 35 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide 24 How women can earn a college degree today 32 Multi-cultural holiday experiences for families on the cover

Cover: Justin Thomas Moses, son of Robert and Melissa Moses of

Cover Photo: Trey Thomas Images

2 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com Attention Advertisers

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PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 3 Editor’sNote Patricia Poshard

make memories! Pittsburgh Parent is published 12 times The holidays are a sweet time to live or visit the Pittsburgh a year by Honey Hill Publishing, Inc. area – there are so many fun things for families. As a child, my family never missed the downtown department store’s holiday P.O. Box 674, Valencia, PA 16059 window displays. We continued the tradition with our kids and 724-898-1898 • PittsburghParent.com added the PPG Santa and train display experience. It has been very special for me to Office hours: Mon - Fri, 8:30am-3:30pm watch the next generation, our grandchildren, enjoy all that downtown offers these days. This year is the 59th Annual Comcast Light Up Night® celebration, and it’s a beloved tradition for thousands of families, which kicks off the holiday festivities in Pittsburgh with Publisher: Lynn Honeywill-Norris free music, entertaining activities, fireworks, food and more. Comcast Light Up Night® will [email protected] be held on Friday, November 22, 2019, and is always the Friday before Thanksgiving. It is Editor: Patricia Poshard mostly free, festive and fun. Most events take place between 4:30 and 10:00 p.m. [email protected] The Peoples Gas Holiday Market™ returns to Market Square on Comcast Light Up Night® and runs daily through Monday, December 23 (closed on Thanksgiving). Inspired Production: Kerri Lutz by the original German Christkindlmarkts, the Holiday Market features national and local [email protected] vendors housed in vintage, wooden chalets selling one-of-a-kind holiday gifts. KidsPlay offers free children’s activities in selected areas downtown Fridays and Marketing & Finance: Saturdays including holiday crafts, a Reading Room and a meet and greet with the Snow [email protected] Queen. Web/ Social Media: Kerri Lutz The Display has relocated. Head to the Grand Lobby of the [email protected] historic City-County Building on Grant Street for this Pittsburgh tradition in its new loca- tion! Since its inception in 2002 when downtown hotels held a competition to benefit the Media Accounts Executive: Children’s Hospital Free Care Fund, the holidays simply haven’t been complete without Corina Shutack the annual Gingerbread House Display & Competition. North Sales: Explore downtown with unique, free tours! Whether you're looking to jump on a Holly [email protected] Trolley or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage tour of downtown decorations, there are plenty East/South/West Sales: of ways to explore the holidays in Pittsburgh. Venture from Market Square across town to [email protected] the U.S. Steel Tower and visit Pittsburgh's Crèche, the world's only approved replica of the Vatican's . Editorial • Social Media: You can skate at the MassMutual Ice Rink before heading inside Two PPG Place and Maria Castello One PPG Place for the Spirits of Giving From Around the World exhibition - a display of Founding Publisher: life-sized Santas depicting holiday traditions from across the globe which used to be held Marilyn McCabe Honeywill in the Wintergarden. 1931 - 2013 Don’t miss the Carnegie Science Center's world-renowned Miniature Railroad & Vil- lage®, a winter wonderland of 105 animations and one Pittsburgh incline. Visit the Carn- egie Museum of Art and see the Hall of Architecture filled with several towering Colorado Follow Us on Social Media spruce trees, each adorned with handcrafted ornaments. The trees flank the museum's facebook.com/pittsburghparentmagazine exquisite 18th-century Neapolitan presepio Nativity scene, rare in US collections, together making up a cherished Pittsburgh tradition. instagram.com/pghparentmag The holidays are the perfect time to make memories with your family – celebrate the season activities are easy to find in Pittsburgh. For more ideas, check out our special sec- pinterest.com/pghparentmag tion on Holiday Happenings in this issue! n And Happy Holidays! twitter.com/pghparentmag

www.PittsburghParent.com @ Sign Up For Our E-Blast at Pittsburgh’s Premier Child Custody Lawyers PittsburghParent.com Pittsburgh Parent is distributed monthly to over “Here at Darbouze Law Group we pride ourselves in three aspects: 600 locations in and around Allegheny, Armstrong, Compassion, Experience, and Professionalism” Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland Counties. Distribution of this magazine does not - Attorney Lauren Darbouze, Principal Attorney constitute an endorsement of information, products or services. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing which is not in keeping with the publication’s standards. The We put your entire contents of the publication are copyrighted family FIRST! and may not be reproduced or copies in any form without the permission of the publisher. Copyright Honey Hill Publishing, Inc. 2019. All rights reserved. ranberry Twp owntown Pittsburgh all us to schedule a consultation 412-49-631 • arboueawgroup.com

4 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 5 SteamForward Ann K. Howley Best STEM BUDS

shna Patel and Victoria Ren When I walked into the building, had an idea. The two girls, several kids wearing blue T-shirts that students at North Allegheny read “STEM & BUDS August 2019” Senior High, wanted to help greeted me. A few minutes later, I met Ayounger kids enjoy STEM subjects as Ashna and Victoria, who barely looked much as they did. So they created an older than the campers. They smiled after school mentoring program for easily and seemed relaxed and com- elementary and middle schoolers. posed, like they had been running sum- STEM & Buds is a nine to ten week mer camps for years. They explained program that started in three schools that both the afterschool program and during the 2018-19 school year. As if camp curriculum covered six topics: en- that wasn’t enough, Ashna and Victoria gineering, psychology, biology, chemis- also organized two weeks of summer try, math and computer science. camp for sixth to eighth graders at their “We really enjoy doing the lessons high school campus and the Cathedral and the teaching part of it,” the girls of Learning on the University of Pitts- told me. burgh campus in Oakland. The savvy “So how did you figure out what to Victoria and Ansha girls reached out to local STEM related teach?” I asked. companies and received sponsorships The girls described how they re- from Open Arc, Spectroscopy Society searched each topic and prepared pre- Bridges, dirty water of Pittsburgh and Argo AI, which allows sentations based on what was currently and… stilettos? them to offer their afterschool and sum- happening in that field, choosing sub- mer camp programs tuition-free. jects that particularly interested them. When the girls led me back to the science fair in the cafeteria, I was able Teaching practice For example, Victoria, who teaches the engineering lessons, is interested in to appreciate the results of their teach- I visited the STEM & Buds camp on green buildings and sustainability, so ing prowess. Though the campers only the last day at the high school, min- that’s what she focused on. had a few days to choose and construct utes before parents were to arrive for a “And I’m interested in architecture,” a project, including the requisite poster casual “science fair” in the cafeteria to said Ashna, “so I had the kids look at board, the kids put together an impres- see the projects their kids worked on different art designs and pictures.” sive display of STEM learning. that week.

6 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com Three girls, Marina, Kaitlyn and Choose from Noob, Pro, Hacker and Sarah showed me replicas of Pittsburgh God. bridges they built out of popsicle sticks HUH? and described the construction of each. I did my best and after I answered I now know the difference between all the questions, the computer used suspension (Roberto Clemente), beam a point system to calculate what type (Veterans) and truss (Hot Metal) bridges. of “shoe” I was. Out of four options, I A cheerful boy named Agneeshwar ended up being the long name of an showed me the computer program he athletic shoe that contained the words coded using Scratch software. “Air” and “Nike.” “You’ll like this. It’s kind of funny,” he “Are there any stiletto heels in those told me. four?” I teased. He pointed to the little figure he Eyes blinked and brows furrowed. drew which he programmed to go into The boys looked at me like I was nuts. what he described as “Elmo Warrior I laughed. What was I thinking? mode,” which means “crazy.” He was Bridge Builders right. I did like it. Looking forward Two boys named Daniel showed me Ashna and Victoria hope to organize how they purified dirty water by pass- ten STEM & Buds chapters at different ing it through different kinds of filters, schools this year. Although the girls such as dry rice, charcoal and banana taught all the afterschool courses last peels. The cloudy water was noticeably year, they compiled their curriculum in clear after they let it drip through their binders so other leaders can use what organic filters. they have already prepared. My favorite project was the Buzzfeed I wish them well. Ashna and Victoria Quiz created by William, Raymond and are the best STEM buds a kid could Matthew. These boys devised a clever have. n computer game, similar to Buzzfeed’s popular online quizzes, which asked me After writing this article, Ann K. Howley a series of questions, like: checked her closet to confirm that she How many friends do you have in owns several pairs of athletic shoes, but Roblox? NO stilettos. My confused answer: NONE? Buzzfeed Quiz What Roblox avatar do you have?

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 7 HumorMe Pam Moore

Angels do exist at the grocery store

very time I take my kids grocery shopping, I return with a week’s worth of food and a lifetime’s worth of regret. Every time, I search my soul for an answer to the question: Why didn’t I do Home Shop? E Recently, I took the kids shopping after picking my three-year-old up from preschool. I had 80 minutes before we had to be home for lunch. In my mind, it seemed totally reasonable. I arrived at preschool pick-up a couple of minutes early. When my daughter saw me she pronounced, “I wasn’t expecting you.” We were off to a great start. As we walked to the car, she took off running. “I need you to get in the car, please,” I called. In response, she threw herself into a leaf pile. We did not have time to frolic. “Get. In. The. Car. Please.” She burrowed deeper into the leaves as I scooped her into the car. She strained against me. Fury bubbled up in my chest. Just breathe, I told myself. I was just breathing, buckling her into her car seat when she hit my arm. Deep breathing could kiss off. “WE. DON’T. HIT.” I seethed as I made a detour for a proper time-out. We did not have time for a time-out. I directed her to an upside-down bucket in our garage, where she sat facing the wall, hands in her lap, for three minutes. I watched from the car as my “Happiness” podcast came over Bluetooth. Oh, irony is a clever one. As I buckled her back in, she apologized. I was exhausted and we hadn’t even made it to the grocery store. When we pulled up, the place was jamming. We did not have time to search for parking. After several loops around the lot, I slid into a spot, unbuckled the girls, and strode across the pavement as quickly as one can while carrying a 17-month-old and holding a three-year-old’s hand. As we approached the store, my toddler exclaimed, “They have the race car cart!” Her favorite cart has all the maneuverability of a Mac truck. I noticed it was soaking wet from the morning’s rain. I feigned disappointment. “Aw honey, it’s wet! Let’s find another cart.” By the time we entered the supermar- ket, my arm burned under the baby’s weight. I set her down in search of a dry cart, but all they had was the kind that holds just a few Lean Cuisines and no people. To my horror, I turned around to find the baby toddling toward a tall drink display. I collected her, instructed my three-year- old not to move, dashed back outside, grabbed the race car cart and with all the force I could muster, pushed it up the ramp with one hand. I did not have time for a wet race car cart. Inside the store, with my two girls and a wet cart, I set the baby down, told my three-year-old to hold her hand and tore off in search of a towel, looking over my shoulder as the baby lunged toward the tower of drinks. I grabbed a box of tissues from the service desk and sprinted back in time to prevent a Gatorade avalanche. With the baby in one arm and tis- sues in the crook of the other, I tilted the cart sideways to drain some water. In my mind, it made perfect sense. In reality, it made a huge puddle. I threw some free newspapers over the wet spot and considered my options. I only had one hand free, which made it impossible to extract the tissues from 8 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com the box. Lunchtime loomed ever closer. The only thing worse than grocery shop- ping with kids is grocery shopping with hungry kids. I considered going home. And then an angel approached. More Pediatrics in She had long, curly, black hair, glasses and a loaf of bread. When she spoke, harp music drowned out the Your Neighborhood! sound of Taylor Swift emanating from the speakers. “Can I help you?” she asked. I could have wept in gratitude. “Um, yes...” “What can I do?” she asked, con- cern in her eyes. “I’m not sure. I’m… overwhelmed.” Just then, the service desk guy who’s Kleenex I’d stolen appeared with a legit roll of paper towels. He ripped off a bunch and handed them to Angel Woman. I stood there like an idiot, holding the baby and my toddler’s hand while they wiped the cart. Sheep- Elizabeth Massella, MD Kimberly M. Pezzone, MD ishly, I told the clerk I’d created a mess and pointed at the puddle while Angel Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine Pediatrics Woman crooned to my kids. “You are being so patient. You are both waiting so nicely. I’m a mommy, so 724-218-1931 412-857-5245 I know how hard it can be for kids to be 400 Market Place Drive, Imperial 6200 Steubenville Pike, patient.” (Next to Shop ‘N Save) We made eye contact and ex- Towerview Suite 101, McKees Rocks changed a smile. She didn’t have to mention she was a mom. I knew the moment I saw her, that she really saw wmcpaphysicians.com me. She didn’t see a jerk taking up the whole entryway with the RV of carts and a couple of unsupervised rugrats. She saw a tired mom with two kids, a wet cart, an empty fridge and 45 precious minutes to get through the store. Her small act of kindness meant so much. It didn’t mean my kids weren’t begging for turkey and bananas in the store, that I steered my behemoth cart with any finesse or that I remembered my shopping list. But it meant that when I asked myself why I didn’t buy my groceries online, I knew; If I hadn’t come to the supermarket, I wouldn’t have been reminded that angels exist. n Wherever you are, thank you, Mama. Don’t leave your Choose Pam Moore helps women push through child’s progress ACHIEVA Early fear to become their best selves. To get her free guide to crushing Impostor to chance. Intervention. Syndrome visit pam-moore.com.

Let the experts in early intervention support your child’s Strong StartTM.

412-995- 5000 | www.achievaearlyintervention.org

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 9 A Celebration For Every Reason By Ann K. Howley

hen it comes to holidays, everyone knows the Big Four: Christmas, New Year’s, Independence and Thanksgiving days. If you count holidays by federal government standards, then there are ten, including days devoted to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the controversial Christopher Columbus. WHowever, there is no need to wait for a day off of work or school to celebrate because a plethora of non-traditional “holidays” provide opportunities to celebrate something unique every month. Several organizations research, choose and list hundreds of special days on websites like daysoftheyear.com and nationaldaycalendar.com. In curating my own list of “holidays,” I used only two criteria. First, it had to be real, meaning people had to actually celebrate it and if it had a Pittsburgh connection, even better. Plus, it had to be fun… which might explain why I included a few food-related “holidays.” In my family, food is definitely fun and worth celebrating. So mark your calendars. Here are some extra days your family can celebrate throughout the year. 10 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com January 1 - Polar Bear Plunge Day

In a video posted on the WTAE website, I watched a red-suited fall backward off the Mon Wharf into the Monongahela River. Every January first, Santa, along with hundreds of others, splash, scramble and whoop it up after jumping into the cold water to raise money for WTAE’s Project Bundle Up, which provides new winter coats, hats, scarves, mittens and boots to thousands of under- privileged children and seniors in Western . At the same time, hundreds more hearty souls in Fayette County brave the ele- ments and jump into the Yough River for the Connellsville Polar Bear Plunge, where participants and spectators bring non-perishable food items for the Connellsville Com- munity Ministries Food Bank. Even if you and the kids don’t want to jump in and freeze your fannies, you can still donate to a good cause and enjoy the spectacle with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Connellsville Polar Bear Plunge

February 4 – National Thank a Mail Carrier Day

“Through rain or snow or sleet or hail, we’ll carry the mail. We will not fail.” Of all public servants, the mail carrier may be the least appreciated. A lot of busy families, juggling school, jobs, homework and activities, probably wouldn’t recognize the person who delivers bills, birthday cards and circulars to their mailbox six days a week. If nobody is home on February 4th to wave, smile or say thank you in person, then encourage your kids to make a card or draw a thank you picture to place somewhere the carrier will see it. Hint: NOT inside the mailbox. As your hardworking mail carrier could tell you, the USPS Domestic Mail Manual states that “no part of a mail receptacle may be used to deliver any matter not bearing postage, including items of matter placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from or inserted into a mail receptacle.”

March 5 – Learn What Your Name Means Day

Unless you’re famous enough to be recognized by one name, i.e. Beyonce, Drake or Pink, most people need at least two names, a first name, also known as the given name and a surname or last name. Names aren’t necessarily unique, especially if your name is Liam or Emma, the most popular boys and girl’s names in 2019. How- ever, names do tell a lot about family history and heritage. On this date, tell your kids why you gave them their name and do a little re- search in onomatology, which is the study of the origins of names. A simple Google search revealed this about my name: The name Ann is a girl’s name of Hebrew, English origin meaning “grace”. Or search for a name on these fun websites to find information on the history, origin, meaning and popularity. • behindthename.com • nameberry.com

April 20 – National Look Alike Day

This holiday has Pittsburgh roots. Nearly 40 years ago, inspiration hit legend- ary radio and TV reporter, Jack Etzel, when he was in and saw a guy who he thought looked just like the old film actor, Humphrey Bogart. He decided to do a fun feature, in which he randomly approached people on the street and asked them who they thought they looked like. The broadcast was so popular that it became an annual tradition after Mr. Etzel contacted Chase Calendar of Events to request that April 20th be declared Look Alike Day. So on this date, encourage your kids to dress, walk, talk and pretend to be a celebrity. Or team up with a best friend and dress in the same clothes, pretending to be twins. Post pictures on social media using #NationalLookAlikeDay.

Madison, Natalie & Maria

continued on page 12 PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 11 A CELEBRATION continued from page 11

May 14 – Dance Like a Chicken Day

Oh no. Not the chicken dance. I have never been able to adequately explain to friends and family how I never learned how to do the chicken dance. I can hear the chirpy polka music in my head, but on a wedding dance floor, I have to watch others carefully and follow their fowl movements. It’s embarrassing. Although the song was written in the 1950s by a Swiss accordion player, it didn’t arrive in the United States until the 1970s, where it quickly became a wedding reception tradition. But don’t let my lack of coordination stop you and your family from cranking up the tune, flapping your wings, and wiggling your bottom to the oom-pah-pah beat. On May 14, nuptials or not, dance like a chicken. I need time to practice.

June 13 – Weed Your Garden Day

Some members of your family may smile and others may frown when this date rolls around, but rest assured, this observation is not a trick to get your kids to do chores. The official National Day Calendar website recommends for gardeners to simply spend an extra five or ten minutes in the garden pulling weeds on this date, so enlist the kids’ help to for a few minutes. Good news for parents: June 13 falls on a Saturday in 2020, so since it’s not a school day, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a brief block of time to spend in the garden. And if fresh air and healthy activity isn’t enough, perhaps ice cream or a special treat would be a nice incentive for kids to get their hands dirty and enjoy the last week of spring.

July 7 – Macaroni day

My family could celebrate macaroni any day. Growing up, I loved the homemade, cheesy, baked macaroni my mother scooped onto our dinner plates every week and I am still in denial over the fact that my own sons would gobble down Kraft Mac N Cheese as readily as my family recipe. Nonetheless, if you’re going to celebrate macaroni, you should know a few macaroni facts to share with your kids while they nosh elbow noodles. • “Macaroni” refers to dry pasta made from durum wheat, shaped like narrow tubes, as op- posed to “pasta” which is fresh, perishable, and appears in lots of different shapes. • All macaroni is pasta, but not all pasta is macaroni. • Food historians believe that the first mac n’ cheese recipe appeared in a 13th century Italian cookbook called Liber de Coquina, translated as “Book of Cooking.” • When Yankee Doodle put a feather in his cap and called it “macaroni,” it had nothing to do with food. During the French and Indian War, British soldiers fought side by side with Americans. That lyric reflects how the 18th century redcoats made fun of the American soldiers, who they con- sidered unsophisticated, country bumpkins. Mangia!

August 24 – International Strange Music Day

This holiday was created by a musician who wanted to encourage people to listen to or play types of music they have never experienced before. The term “strange” is subjective, though. New wave music from the Eighties might make some kids sigh heavily and yawn. When my niece insisted I listen to something called “country rap,” I think my face momentarily froze in an expression of desperation. Since I can’t define what “strange music” is, I decided to ask my younger brother, Dennis, who, in my opinion, has been listening to strange music his whole life. It didn’t surprise me how quickly he came up with something appropriately weird. In fact, his recommendation took only as much time as it took to type the words on his cell phone. I listened to his musical suggestions and trust me, they’re strange. But I was curious what my stepdaughter, Madison, thought of his music, so I reached out to her, too. Neither would I, Madison. Except on August 24th.

12 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com September 19 – Talk Like A Pirate Day

In 1995, two guys playing racquetball started talking “pirate talk” to each other and noticed that time passed more quickly and the game was more fun when they said things to each other like “Now watch as I fire a broadside straight into your yardarm!” They imme- diately agreed that Talk Like a Pirate Day should be official and selected September 19th as the annual day of celebration. Somehow, their silly fête caught the attention of Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry, who wrote a funny column about it in 2002. If there was ever a day for Pittsburghers to enjoy, this is it. Whether our Pirates are winning or losing, there’s no reason we can’t “Buc” up and embrace the lingo for a day. What I particularly like about the official talklikeapirate.com website is the Junior Pirate page which provides kid-friendly pirate talk, lesson plans from real teachers all over the world and the lyrics to A Children’s Pirate Shanty written by original “pirate guy,” Mark “Cap’n Slappy” Summers, who recommend singing it to the tune of Monty Python’s “I’m a Lumberjack and I’m OK.”

Last Friday in October – Frankenstein Friday

Judging by the number of kids with green faces, painted on scars and electric bolts sticking out of their necks who come to my door every Halloween, I’d say that Franken- stein is a pretty popular monster. In 1997, actor/writer/film historian, and Boris Karloff super fan, Ron MacCloskey, created Frankenstein Friday to pay homage to one of the greatest gothic novels of all time. Author Mary Shelley was 19 years old when she started writing Frankenstein, which is credited as being the first science fiction/horror/tragic romance novel ever written. Since it was published in 1818, Frankenstein has never been out of print. On Frankenstein Friday, invite your kids to read a chapter from the book, draw a picture of a monster or plan a Halloween costume. But if your kids really want to stay true to Mary Shelley’s vision when they dress up for Halloween, they should be eight feet tall, hideously ugly, have yellowish skin, watery, glowing eyes, flowing black hair, black lips and prominent white teeth. If not, green faces and neck bolts will do.

November 10 – Vanilla Cupcake Day

There is no such thing as plain vanilla. This flavoring, which derives from a pod that grows like a vine on a tropical orchid, is one of the world’s most popular and expensive ingredients used in a wide variety of foods, beverages, cosmetics and perfume. “Where are you going?” my husband asked.“I’m going to a cupcake store to buy vanilla cupcakes.”Brows arched, he eyed me suspiciously.“Research,” I insisted. Yes, research. Because where else would you go if you wanted to prepare for Vanilla Cupcake Day than a charming little store off West Liberty Avenue called Le Cupcake Shoppe? “We have Vanilla Bean cupcakes,” said Alex, the proprietor, who cheer- fully placed twelve mini cupcakes decorated with a swirl of white frosting and sprinkles in a plastic container for me to take home. A few days later, I came across Gigi’s Cupcakes at the Great Race Expo, where operat- ing partner, Melanie, showed me one of their most popular flavors: Wedding Cake, a vanilla-fla- vored confection piled high with white, creamy frosting. You can make, bake or buy them, but on November 10th, have vanilla cupcakes on hand. By the way, my research was delicious. Vanilla cupcakes from Le Cupcake Shoppe

December 2 – National Mutt Day

It’s tempting to celebrate another food-related “holiday” during the month of December. After all, the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s represents the sweetest and most calorie-packed period of the year for most families. I could have selected days devoted to fritters, cotton candy, noodle rings or ice cream, but when my 50 pound pooch sidled up beside me and gazed at me with her soft, brown eyes, I couldn’t resist. Happy National Mutt Day! Purebred dogs might have pedigree, but mutts have heart and need loving homes just as much as their preferred cousins. With over 300 dog breeds, mutt combinations are endless and even if you’re not ready to adopt a mutt, you can still take your kids to visit a local shelter, draw doggy pictures, walk a neighbor’s dog or bake homemade treats for your favorite canine. n Mia

Writer Ann K. Howley thinks that every day is a reason to celebrate, and she’s always willing to do more “research.” PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 13 14 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 15 EducationConnection Peggy Gisler and Marge Eberts

Dear Teacher Resolutions: Find out how your children are doing in school

arents: Obviously, the • Go to all parent-teacher con- more you know about ferences that are scheduled dur- what your children are ing the year and listen carefully Pdoing in school, the easier it to what a teacher says about how will be for you to help them the children are doing. to do their best. In addition, • Read your children’s report you will be able to praise cards carefully. Look at atten- them for their very real ac- dance and conduct. complishments, which makes for a win-win situation. Look • Talk with a teacher or school over the following list of New counselor for other kinds of Year’s Resolutions and find a information about your child’s few that would help you to performance, such as test scores have a good picture of how and teacher observations. your children are doing in • Remember that when you get school: to know the teachers in informal situations, you can do nothing • Chat daily with your but improve your relationship children about school. their schoolwork and note the grades with them when you are dealing This will give you an idea about how and any comments made by the with situations affecting your children school is going for your child. Reluc- teacher. tance to talk about school might be • Attending events at your children’s • Use the school/teacher’s web pages an indication of problems. school gives you the opportunity to to find out exactly what is being stud- meet other parents. This can be an • Look over younger children’s work ied. In some schools, teachers put advantage in gaining more infor- each day. It is best to do this with online homework assignments, class mation about the school and your your children. If their papers are participation points and quiz and test children’s teachers and classes. bleeding with red marks almost every scores online. day, it is time for a chat with their • Get teachers’ email addresses as this teacher. is a great way to communicate with Using technology to • Ask your older children to show you them. build vocabulary

My child, a sixth grader, loves technology. She also has a Q:weak vocabulary. Are there any ways to combine building vocabulary and technology? – Multitasker It is very important for children to have a good A:vocabulary. Academic success depends on the ability to understand what is read. Having a good vocabulary is one of the keys to comprehending material, especially new material. Most children have a sufficient ev- eryday vocabulary to communicate eas- ily with others. However, the language of textbooks and classroom work is a far more difficult vocabulary to acquire, as it involves language not ordinarily used in daily conversation. Fortunately, there are ways to expand your daughter’s vocabulary that involve technology. You might start with having her ex- plore word games. This way she could be having fun and at the same time expanding her vocabulary. Your daugh- ter might search with you online for vocabulary games. Make sure appropri- ate websites are chosen. One site that you might consider looking at is vocabulary.com. It has a fun quiz that older elementary students can use to improve their vocabulary online.

16 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com The quiz gives four potential meanings for a vocabulary word, and students se- Resolutions: Find out how your children are doing in school lect the one they think fits. It’s ideal for elementary students because it provides a hint for students who have no idea what a word is. Another great tool that will help your child immediately look up a word she does not recognize in her reading is online reference tools. She will be more likely to use this type of tool rather than a print dictionary. Many of these tools are free. Explore several with your daughter. Some can be mounted on the browser toolbar for ease of usage. Because students who have the best vocabularies are those who have acquired it through reading widely, encourage your daughter to read books that appeal to her online. Many e-books have dictionary help that offers not only the definition of a word but also its pronunciation. Your child should also begin to use the vocabulary help that is offered on many websites. For example, there is a word wizard that pops up when students are reading Scholastic News online. It is also possible for her to hear the articles being read. Finally, for your child to increase her vocabulary, encourage her to listen to audio narration of books, especially those that will let her have access to dictionary definitions of words that she might not know. And it would be wise to ask her teachers about websites that the child can use to increase her vocabulary. They are likely to have some excellent suggestions.

One way to improve messy handwriting

My son does well in second grade. However, his handwrit- Q:ing is still very messy. He can’t seem to stay on the lines – writing either above or below them with many words. How can we help him write neater? – Messy Writing

Actually, there is a relatively simple trick that could help A:him. You could have him use paper with raised or bold lines. Just search for it online and you will find many choices. Or you can make your own lined paper with glue or bold colored lines that will indicate where he should be writing. n

Parents should send questions and comments to dearteacher@dearteacher. com or ask them on the columnists’ website at www.dearteacher.com.

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 17 Boarding Schools

Are you considering a boarding school? By Jill L. Ferguson

he decision to send one’s child to boarding school is never an easy one to make, even if boarding school attendance is part of a long fam- ily tradition. Generally, parents send their children to boarding school for a few main reasons: T• They want to give their children a better academic and/or athletic education. • They want their children to learn to live independently. • They want their kids to get specialized help with a particular learning issue. • The parents may have careers where they travel or move frequently so boarding school may provide stability and continuity for the children. Best-selling author and pediatrician Dr. Meg Meeker (who was a day student at a boarding school) says, “Choosing the right school for a child is a uniquely personal decision that parents make.” I agree, but would argue that the decision is best made with the child as part of the decision-making process. So, let’s explore what options parents have for boarding schools. Boarding schools are usually categorized eight ways, but these eight ways are not mutually exclusive. According to the Global Education Network, the categories are: 1. College preparatory school 2. Military school 3. Sports school 4. Performing arts school 5. Religious school 6. Therapeutic school 7. Junior school 8. Single-sex school The college preparatory school is the type of boarding school that was shown in the movies “School Ties” and “Dead Poet’s So- ciety.” The schools have rigorous academics and an expectation that every student will attend college and go on to have success- ful careers. The college prep part comes from learning life skills that other students may not develop until their university days, such as negotiating and cooperating with roommates, scheduling free-time, etc. The military school has the same academic rigor but with the added layer of the armed services. This type of school may be ideal for students who want to enter the military after graduation or who want to go on to West Point or another military college. While all boarding schools offer sports programs, sports-based boarding schools prioritize sports, preparing students for Olympic or professional careers or maybe even for top-tier university sports programs. Performing arts schools focus on music, dance, drama and other creative arts. Juilliard’s Pre-College may be the most famous United States-based performing arts schools. Religious boarding schools in the U.S. tend to be mainly Christian faith-based, according to Boarding School Review. Top board- ing schools by religion include: Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Episcopal, Non-denominational, Presbyterian, Quaker, So- ciety of Friends and United Methodist. These schools integrate religious studies into academics and daily life, and the curriculum choices may be influenced by the religious beliefs. continued on page 20

18 DECEMBER 2019 Special Advertising Section PittsburghParent.com DISCOVER THE POWER OF ALL-GIRLS AT SEM

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here are girls’ schools… Then there’s SEM, far different from the expected feel and fare of other girls’ schools. SEM girls are multi-faceted! We have created an independent culture of achievement, scholarship, leader- Tship, and service that challenges girls to engage and explore a range of opportunities from theatre to sports, to public speaking and computer programming. We do not require uniforms and are not bound by religion. At SEM, girls are excited to be part of a community where trust is intrinsic and independent thinking is valued. Technology is fully integrated into the curriculum with our laptop program, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design, mathematics) program, NAO robots, digital printer, and virtual reality (VR) lab. Check out our VR video at buffaloseminary.org/VR. Our classrooms feature Harkness tables for intelligent debate and student-centered learning. Seated in the round, everyone is seen and heard. Our unique Capstone program encourages deep subject learning over four years coupled with community service. SEM offers 13 varsity sports and clubs from Model UN to chess, drama, dance, Ping-Pong, and glee. Accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS), we are also a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (NCGS), the Online School for Girls (OSG), and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).

Independent day and boarding school for college-bound girls 205 Bidwell Parkway Buffalo, NY 14222 (716) 885-6780

PittsburghParent.com Special Advertising Section DECEMBER 2019 19 Linsly is... I gained an more than Extended Family y daughter is a boarding student at just a school. Linsly. I cannot adequately describe the transformation that has occurred in her “Mdemeanor, personality, social life and level of maturity. She has always excelled in school but now she truly loves to learn. She knows her teachers truly care and Meet Saige their passion is contagious. Every student is given the LINSLY CLASS OF 2020 | MORGANTOWN, WV tools and encouragement to succeed. I had many reservations about sending my 14-year- old daughter to boarding school - safety, nutrition, 2019 Winter Visit Day supervision, etc. I felt I was going to miss out on so th much of her life. I can assure anyone that all my worries SUNDAY, DEC. 8 • 1PM were quickly put at ease and her experience at Linsly has far exceeded all expectations. Although I have less Call or visit us online for more information. time with her on a daily basis, the time we spend means so much more and we truly enjoy each other’s company. Quality truly is more important than quantity. I didn’t 304.233.1436 lose a daughter. I gained an extended family.” www.linsly.org/admissions – Amy, mother of Saige, Linsly boarding student Conveniently located less than 1 hour from Pittsburgh. Linsly is conveniently located less than one hour from Pittsburgh. Linsly is a coeducational, independent, boarding and day school for grades 5 -12, with boarding for grades 7 - 12. Call 304-233-1436 or visit our website www.linsly.org/admissions. Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities Available. ©2019, The Linsly School, 60 Knox Lane, Wheeling, WV 26003. The Linsly School Is An Equal Opportunity School.

BOARDING SCHOOL? continued from page 18

Therapeutic schools “provide daily structure and care that students need due to health concerns, substance abuse challenges, mental health struggles or any kind of extenuating circumstance that may alter their ability to succeed in a traditional classroom,” says Global Education Network. These schools integrate academics with health care. Junior schools is the name given to boarding schools for children in kinder- garten through eighth grade. Single-sex schools are just that in that they welcome only girls or only boys (as opposed to co-ed schools which welcome everyone). Some research has suggested that single-sex schools help some students to thrive more than being in a co-educational environment. Dr. Meeker said, “While some students may study harder, receive better instruction or be exposed to a greater breadth of aca- demic studies, parents sacrifice enormous opportunities for their children’s psychological, spiritual and intellectual growth when they live separately.” So, it’s best to decide the needs of your individual children, how each learns best, in what kind of environ- ment the most positive kind of growth could occur and what kind of support she or he needs. And once your decision that boarding school may be the best option is made, don’t let the cost of tuition and room and board change your mind. Every school has need-based scholarships and payment programs and can work to make the school a reality for your family. Some schools may even be free if your family makes less than $75,000 per year. n

Jill L. Ferguson is an Artist, Author, Entrepreneur, founder of Women’s Wellness Weekends and a former Pittsburgher.

20 DECEMBER 2019 Special Advertising Section PittsburghParent.com REGISTER FOR WINTER after losing one WEXFORD | 412.366.3800 By Heather Cherry POINT BREEZE | 412.247.4800 MONROEVILLE | 724.325.1700 t’s a boy”, they said. Over- BETHEL PARK | 412.833.6190 whelmed with joy, I turned to Toddler/Mini Gym my husband. I could see the Preschool Classes glimmer of hope masking his Recreational Classes relief. “He is beautiful.” I said. Ninja Khana Classes “IA strapping boy resembling his Birthday Parties father in every way, arrived on Novem- 10% off 1st class fees *new students only with coupon WWW.GYMKHANAFUN.COM ber 15, 2013, weighing seven pounds and one ounce and 28 days earlier than expected. Nothing surprised us about It was hard to adapt to this new- subject ourselves to inferiority. I couldn’t this since big brother arrived early. found life. My first mission was to rid my have known our fate and I realized I did Then, a sense of urgency over- home of all-things baby. I couldn’t bear the best I could with what I had. whelmed the room. My stomach to look at it. I wanted it all gone and I I also stopped defending our life writhed in pain; fear and worry clouded felt like I was sharing a piece of him. I and changed the conversation. I choose my joy. I laid there helpless, watching as sold what I couldn’t donate and stored to focus on a world filled people and nurses tended to my bundle of joy. what I didn’t want to sell. opportunities to combat loneliness. Nine days later, we were called into It felt good at first. I felt like I was on When my son yearns for a sibling, I the hospital room, expecting a good a path to sanity, until I had to retrieve redirect him to focus on his cousins or report. some items for the funeral. I clambered friends. “It’s time to call in your family,” the up the pull-down attic steps, only to Lesson # 3 – Grief will last a lifetime, and doctor said. “We can no longer keep find myself sobbing, clutching what your son on life support. He is bleeding everything is a possible trigger. could have been in that tote full of For me, having an older child and on the brain.” clothes. It was that moment I realized My knees buckled. I watched my grieving a younger one presented getting rid of his things wasn’t going to constant pain. Going to the grocery husband carefully listening to the get me back to normal. doctor, but I couldn’t hear anything. I store, preschool drop off and even my was frozen. It was as if the world had Facebook feed caused pain. Every baby stopped spinning. caused me excruciating amounts of Life was lost before it ever got pain. started. Time has helped me overcome this I elected for a tubal ligation at the struggle. When I was in this season of time of my cesarean section. I had to grief, I allowed myself to accept it, no say goodbye to the boy I had been matter how horrible it seemed. dreaming of and the family I imagined. Unexpected things have caused Learning to live again after a loss is me to relapse in grief. However hard, hard. For me, grieving was theoretically I’ve learned to be gentle on myself, easy. I delved into the sadness in a way understanding grief is complicated and that felt satisfying; knowing the pain working to savor every season of it. As meant knowing him. Facing the rest of a result, a resilient, broken, but fantastic the world was hard, especially when that version of me has been unveiled. world required playdates, potty training and talks about fine motor skills. Resources This world also had unfair expecta- • cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/Matern- tions of a family we couldn’t create. alInfantHealth/InfantMortality.htm Ignore all expectations of We spent our time looking to cor- Lesson # 2 – what your family is supposed to be and • verywellfamily.com/coping-with-the- rect our mistake – adoption, invitro love it for what it is. sudden-death-of-a-child-2609745 n fertilization (IVF) and tubal reversals all My first son was approaching three examined – only to realize it wasn’t pos- when we lost our second. For about two Heather Cherry has been writing for 11+ sible for us. We had to grieve the loss years after our loss, we were prompted years. She has written feature articles for repeatedly. with questions and assumptions like: several online publications, freelanced, Accepting our fate was not easy. It “When are you going to have anoth- and worked as a Journalist. was exacerbated because we had a tod- er?”, “Your son must be so lonely”, “He dler to look after and I wasn’t permitted Heather lost her second son when he was is going to be spoiled as an only child”. to wallow in my pity. I had to navigate only nine days old. An experience that was For a while, these were a chip on my grief with a smile on my face. truly life changing, but also unexpected. shoulder. I felt failure, guilt and shame; At the time of delivery, she thought he Here’s what I’ve learned all fingers were pointed at me and I was healthy, so she continued with her along the way: hated myself. decision to also get her tubes tied. When That’s when I decided to take he passed, she had to grieve the loss of Lesson # 1 – Learning to live again responsibility for my choice and move doesn’t mean getting back to the life him, but also her fertility (in a traditional on. When the trajectory of our lives is sense). you had before. altered in an unfavorable way, we often

PittsburghParent.com DECEMBER 2019 21 Higher Education Navigating the Future A Guide for Parents and Teens

Eight great college prep apps By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

here’s nothing easy about applying to and preparing for college. Thankfully, there are many apps that can make the pro- cess a little bit easier. Here are eight of the very best ones. They’re all FREE, so encourage your kids to download them when they’re getting ready to start the journey. T SAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play The college admissions process starts when they take the SAT – the most widely used admissions test across the U.S. There are many SAT apps available. One of the best is the award-winning SAT: Practice, Prep, Flashcards. The app in- cludes full-length practice tests, lots of individual questions from the different subject areas and an extensive data- 1 base of flashcards to study with. Your kids can track their progress over time and get analyses of their strengths and weaknesses. Max U Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play Doing well on the SAT is important, but it’s only one part of the college admissions process. For all the other elements there’s Max U. This app has a checklist of the different parts of the application package, offers advice on the many things one can consider when deciding which colleges to apply to and makes it easy to keep track of college admis- 2 sions deadlines. Your kids can also use the app to determine whether they qualify for financial aid. College Search Guide Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play The next step in the process is to find colleges that suit your kids’ interests and preferences. Many helpful apps ex- ist; the most comprehensive one is the aptly named College Search Guide, which lets them search almost all of the 3 7,000 colleges in the U.S. They can search by type of college, degrees offered, campus environment, cost, acceptance rates, distance from home and a long list of other variables. The app also has a list of the top 100 colleges across many categories. YouVisit Colleges Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play Once they’ve narrowed down the search, it’s great to visit the colleges they’re most excited about to really get a sense of what these colleges have to offer. When that’s not possible or if they just want to get a basic idea of what a certain 4 college looks like, download YouVisit Colleges. This app lets them virtually tour more than 500 colleges across the U.S. These include some of the most prestigious universities in the country and many less competitive colleges. Scholarships.com Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play For most parents the biggest concern isn’t which college to send their kids to but how to find the money for it. After all, college tuition is getting higher and higher every year. The largest and most widely used scholarship app is Scholar- 5 ship.com. It has a database of more than 3.7 million scholarships and is continuously expanded and updated. Your kids list their academic interests and accomplishments and are then matched with scholarships for which they’re eligible to apply. They can also search for scholarships on their own based on a long list of criteria.

22 DECEMBER 2019 Special Advertising Section PittsburghParent.com Higher Education Navigating the Future

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Khan Academy Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play College work isn’t high school work; it’s much, much harder. As your kids are getting ready for college, they should stay up-to-date on their academ- ic knowledge. If they’re little rusty in one or more subjects, encourage them 6 to download the Khan Academy app. It has 10,000 video tutorials on all the major academic subjects like Economics, English, History, Math and Science. The app also has in-depth articles and interactive exercises for maximum learning. Westminster College My Study Life 319 South arket Street Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play Once your kids arrive at college, it’s important that they stay organized and New imington, 16172 on top of everything they need to do. First task: download My Study Life. 724-946-7100 This easy-to-use app lets them keep track of all their homework assignments westminster.edu 7 and exams for their classes, which will help them use their time as effective- ly as possible. They can also use the app to set reminders to themselves, so that they get alerts before any particular task is due. Mint: Personal Finance & Money transforming lives. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Available at: Apple Appstore; Google Play Finally, it’s worth remembering that for many kids college is the first time in their lives they really get to experience what it’s like to take care of them- selves and that includes budgeting their money. If you don’t want them to call you every time they run out of money, encourage them to download Mint: Personal Finance & Money. This popular money-management app lets 8 them track their expenses, see the balances on their checking and savings accounts and create realistic budgets. They can also use the app to pay and track bills and to receive reminders. n Be Part of Something Real

Tanni Haas, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences and Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

PittsburghParent.com Special Advertising Section DECEMBER 2019 23 How women can earn a college degree… without giving up their family, job or going broke By Kimberly Blaker

o you’d like to further your educa- courses. Find out if those programs or • Start by making a list of all your respon- tion, but with a job and a family, courses are any of the thousands reviewed sibilities, then cross off anything unnec- you don’t know where you’d find by the American Council on Education essary. Where else can you save time? time for the commute and classes (ACE). If so, ask your academic institution You can do housecleaning every ten to let alone to study? Even if you could, there if they award credits based on ACE recom- fourteen days rather than weekly. Skip Sare the ever-increasing costs for classes mendations. cleaning anything that isn’t in dire need and books to squeeze into your budget. Correspondence and until the next time. Straighten up only the Fortunately, today there are many ways to online courses main rooms on a daily basis. Others can overcome these obstacles. wait. Independent study programs offer a If you’re undecided about your career • Make a pact to limit volunteering your couple options. Online courses can be goals, get started by reading one of these time until you’ve reached your educa- taken in the convenience of your home. books: What Color is Your Parachute by tional goals. If ‘no’ isn’t in your vocabulary, These usually require attendance (at your Richard Nelson Bolles or Who Do You create reminder cards. Then put them by computer) at specific times. Correspon- Think You Are? by Keith Harary and Eileen the phone and in your purse, so you’ll be dence courses are a good option also Donahue. You can also check with a local prepared to say ‘no’ at all times. institution for the Myer-Briggs Type Indica- because there are no schedules. They tor test to discover your interests and usually allow six to eighteen months for • Assign your children some additional strengths. completion with extensions up to one chores. Next, list your educational goals and year. Evening and weekend courses as • Discuss the importance of furthering discuss the importance of them with your well as accelerated programs also offer your education with your partner. Ask family to gain their support. some flexibility. which responsibilities he’s willing to take Finally, visit nearby colleges or visit How to pay for tuition and books over until you’ve accomplished your goals. their websites. Find out which offer the There are many options for financing • Trade babysitting with a friend, neighbor courses, degree, and options for earning your education. The Federal Pell Grant or relative for some quiet study time. credits that suit your needs. is awarded based on financial need. The • Set a schedule with your partner for Non-traditional college credit maximum award amount for the 2017- watching the kids so you can study at the Today, more and more accredited col- 2018 school year was $5,920. library. leges offer a variety of options for earning Several other options include: • Ask your employer if you can take nontraditional course credit. Look into this • The Federal Supplemental Education shorter lunch breaks and leave earlier. first to save time and money. Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Another possibility is for your employer to At some colleges you can earn Self- • The Federal Work Study program allow you fewer but longer workdays for Acquired Competency (SAC) credits. an extra day off to study each week. • The Federal Perkins Loan These may have different names at various Colleges that offer institutions. But such credits are available • Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan independent study for a wide range of skills and life experi- • Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan ences. This requires compiling a portfolio Before enrolling, make sure credits Many scholarships are also available. for faculty evaluation. Your portfolio will are transferable and the institution is fully For example, if you’re a single mother, include on-the-job training, work and vol- accredited. you might qualify for grants and scholar- unteer experience, workshops, seminars • Indiana University’s School of Con- ships available to single parents. Ask your and more. If you served in the military, you tinuing Studies, Independent Study academic institution what it offers. A wide may be eligible for Military Service Credit Program. variety of other scholarships are available for education you gained through schools, as well. Check with your institution, a • Eastern Michigan University, Distance experience or service. scholarship guide or an online scholarship Education Program. You can also earn credits by examina- search. tion. Some of these include: • Ohio University Lifelong Learning Pro- Ask your employer if it offers reim- grams, External Student Program. • Credits for College-Level Examination bursement for college courses. If the Programs (CLEP) • University of Colorado at Boulder Inde- classes pertain to your job, your employer pendent Learning Program. • Advanced Placement Examinations (AP) may cover the costs. Finally, don’t forget the HOPE Scholar- • Upper Iowa University, External Degree • Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Program. Education Support (DANTES) ship, a tax credit available for eligible taxpayers, totaling $1,500. There’s also • The University of Texas at Austin Credit by examination can also save the Lifetime Learning tax credit. Certain Continuing and Extended Education, time and money if you have knowledge in requirements and restrictions apply. Distance Education Center. n a particular area or if you study and test well. But be sure to check with your insti- Coordinating multiple tution before enrolling since credit may responsibilities Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer not be awarded following admission. Like most women, you probably wear and the author of a kid’s STEM book, Another possibility for credits is if many hats. But with a little planning and fi- Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? you’ve completed any non-collegiate nesse, you can develop workable solutions or in-company sponsored programs or that will free-up time for your studies:

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PittsburghParent.com Special Advertising Section DECEMBER 2019 25 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

December 7 Holiday @ the C&RC Activities FREE Music, crafts, treats, Santa & December 7 & 8 more, 11am - 2pm, Community & Christmas in the Village & Parades Recreation Center, Twp. Upper St. Clair Vendors, choirs, children's crafts • twpusc.org & activities, Saturday 2 - 9pm & Sunday 2 - 7pm, December 1, 7 - 8, 14 - 15 & 21 - 24 Old Economy Village, Ambridge Pictures with Santa • oldeconomyvillage.org Visit A Very Merry Pittsburgh Exhibit & December 7 Santa Claus, 11am - 2pm, Heinz History Holly Jolly Christmas Center • heinzhistorycenter.org/events in Latrobe Santa, children's activities, barrel December 6 - 8 train rides, live entertainment Holiday Express and Light-Up night & more, the first 300 children at December 8 FREE Polar Express Movie, train ride, Santa's Party in the Park (from Skate with Santa Santa Claus & more, Hopewell Township 10am - noon) will receive a gift He's making a list and checking Municipal Complex, Aliquippa bag! 10am - 3pm, Downtown it twice – on ice, Noon - 4pm, • hopewelltwp.com Latrobe • HollyJollyLatrobe.com South Park Ice Rink • alleghenycounty.us/special- events

December 7 December 7 Elf: The Sleepover An Olde Town Christmas FREE Carolers, hayrides, Santa & more, December 8 See the holiday classic Elf in the Annual Christmas Festival Rangos Giant Cinema, carry out Noon - 5pm, South Broad Street, Grove City • visitmercercountypa.com FREE Live music & entertainment, 4pm, festive science experiments and Passavant Center at Thiel College, create a delicious hot chocolate December 7 Greenville • visitmercercountypa.com concoction. Sat., 6pm - Sun., Christmas on the Farm 9:30am, Carnegie Science Center Christmas trees, wreaths, crafts, live December 9 • carnegiesciencecenter.org entertainment & more, 11am - 5pm, Family Ornament & Card Night Freedom Farms Event Center, Valencia FREE Make and take home holiday • freedomfarmspa.com ornaments & make holiday cards to send our military friends, 6:30 - 7:15pm, Peters Twp. Public Library, McMurray December 7 • ptlibrary.org Pictures with Santa FREE Pictures, crafts, live music & more, continued on page 28 Noon - 3pm, Laughlin Memorial Library, Ambridge • visitbeavercounty.com Events with a box around them December 7 have an advertisement within the Christmas Bazaar publication. Live performances & more, benefits Chippewa Meals on Wheels 9am - 3pm, All events & costs are subject to Chippewa United Methodist Church, change. Please confirm before you go. Beaver Falls • visitbeavercounty.com

26 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com continued on page 32 Western Pennsylvania Model Railroad Museum 32nd Annual Holiday Train Display

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PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 27 continued on page 32 HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 26 December 14 – Super Science Saturday: Holidays Around the World December 15 December 14 Holiday-themed stations throughout the museum, learn through artifacts, holiday Skate with Santa Santa at the Log Cabin He's making a list and checking FREE - Visit Santa, reindeer barn, foods & crafts, pet Sven the friendly it twice – on ice, Noon - 4pm, inflatables, train display & more, McCarl reindeer & send a letter to Santa, North Park Ice Rink Industrial and Agricultural Museum of 8:30am - 10pm, Carnegie Museum of • alleghenycounty.us/special- Beaver County, Darlington • facebook. Natural History • carnegiemnh.org events com/events/1232143553618169

December 14 December 19 December 14 Meet Belsnickel Family Movie Night Winter Wonderland Meet the grumpy, fur-clad FREE The Grinch, 6:30pm, . Public Library, McMurray Pajama Party version of Santa Claus familiar Peters Twp • (*PR) ptlibrary.org Jam out in your favorite winter in Pennsylvania Dutch country, PJ's, take a holiday photo, make Old Economy Village, Ambridge gifts, eat cookies and enjoy • (*PR preferred) storytime, 5 - 7pm Carnegie oldeconomyvillage.org December 21 Museum of Art • cmoa.org Santa Ski Day Ski & snowboard dressed in your Kris Kringle red & white, 3:30 - December 14 – Jingle Bell Run 9pm, Boyce Park Four Seasons Get your jingle on and support the Lodge • aalleghenycounty.us/ December 14 Arthritis Foundation, 7:30am, StageAE, special-events Creation Stations: Mrs. North Shore • (*PR) events.arthritis.org Claus is Checking it Twice FREE, Visit for Story Time read by Mrs. Claus, face painting & more, 11am - 2pm, Fifth Avenue Place • FifthAvenuePlacePA.com

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December 25 December 28 – Sensory Friendly December 7 & 8 Annual FREE Christmas Day Dinner Saturday: Holidays Around the World Milk & Cookies with Santa FREE, 11:30am - 3pm, Beaver Falls High Holiday-themed stations throughout the Cranberry Twp. Municipal Center School, Beaver Falls • 724-846-3751 museum, learn through artifacts, holiday • (*PR)cranberrytownship.org November 22 - December 23 foods & crafts, pet Sven the friendly December 8 Peoples Gas Holiday Market reindeer & send a letter to Santa, Breakfast with Santa Inspired by the German Christkindl- 8:30am - 10pm, Carnegie Museum of Breakfast, activities, stories, Santa & markts, crafts, food & entertainment, Natural History • carnegiemnh.org more, 9 - 10:30am, Pine Community Market Square, Pittsburgh Center, Wexford • twp.pine.pa.us • downtownpittsburghholidays.com December 14 November 22 - January 1 December 30 Cookies with Santa Spirit of Giving from Around the World Skate with Parker FREE Cookies, refreshments & holiday Open 7 days a week, PPG Place, Skate with Parker the Chipmunk crafts, 10am - noon, Boyce Park Four Pittsburgh • ppgplace.com Noon - 4pm, South Park Ice Seasons Lodge November 23 - December 21 Rink • alleghenycounty.us/ • alleghenycounty.us/special-eventspx Horse Drawn Carriage Rides special-events Saturdays, Fourth Avenue next to the PPG Place Plaza • ppgplace.com Holiday December 27 Let's Eat Performances Skate with Parker Skate with Parker the Chipmunk Noon - 4pm, North Park Ice with Santa Rink • alleghenycounty.us/ special-events Thru January 1 December 7 Holiday Magic Laser Shows Breakfast with Santa Festive laser show that is perfect Breakfast, make reindeer food, pictures November 28 - December 15 – Annual for the whole family, & more, 9am - 12:30pm, Butler Twp. Park Carnegie Science Center Beaver County Christmas Extravaganza Building, Butler • bcpr.recdesk.com Elf Land, pony rides, Santa Land, Gin- • carnegiesciencecenter.org gerbread House Display, live entertain- December 7 ment & more, F - S & S, Noon - 9pm, Cookies with Santa Brady's Run Lodge Park, Beaver Falls FREE Cookies, refreshments & holiday • beavercountyfestivaloftrees.org crafts, 10am - noon, Round Hill Park Visitors Center • alleghenycounty.us/ special-eventspx continued on page 30

PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 29 Angella Di is a fashion and design company that features bold colors and unique pop-art style designs printed on white canvas shoes. • Two feature patterns: Lipstick and Bubble Gum. • The Bubble Gum pattern bringing the fun to your little one’s wardrobe! • Available in a select number of children and adult sizes. • Available on Amazon. We will be releasing two new and adorable seasonal patterns for November and December! Follow us on our social media sites so you don’t miss them or our holiday discounts.

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HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 29 December 7 Holly Jolly Holiday Concert B.C Taylor & other guest artists, 7 - November 23 - December 15 8:30pm, Hopewell Area High School, Elf JR. The Musical Aliquippa • visitbeavercounty.com Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly is transported to the North Pole. The December 12 - 15 would-be elf is raised, unaware that he A Lyrical Christmas Carol is actually a human, S & S, Little Lake December 12 - 14, 7:30pm & December Theatre Company, Canonsburg 15, 2pm, New Hazlett Theater, • littlelake.org Pittsburgh • pittsburghmusicals.com December 13 - 15 December 6 - 29 Miracle on 34th Street The Nutcracker Live production, The Guthrie Theater, Presented by the Pittsburgh Ballet Grove City • visitmercercountypa.com Theater, Benedum Center • pbt.org December 14 &15 December 13 - 22 December 6 - 8 It's A USO Christmas The Nutcracker The Strand Theater, Zelienople North Pole Musical Presented by the Carnegie South Park Children's Theater • sites. • thestrandtheater.org Performing Arts Center, Andrew google.com/a/southparktheatre.com Carnegie Music Hall, Carnegie December 6 - 15 • carnegieperformingartscenter.com Elf December 21 F - S & S, Comtra Theatre, Cranberry Sensory Friendly Concert: Twp. • comtratheatre.org December 13 - 22 Holiday Pops December 7 Highmark Holiday Pops Deck the halls with boughs Holiday Traditions Deck the halls with boughs of of holly, a judgement-free Presented by the Butler County holly & all your favorite holiday environment that is welcoming Symphony Orchestra, 7:30pm, Butler music, fun for the whole family, to all, pre-concert activities Intermediate High School, Butler Heinz Hall start at 1:15pm, show starts at • visitbutlercounty.com • pittsburghsymphony.org 2:30pm, Heinz Hall • pittsburghsymphony.org

December 7 - 22 Velveteen Rabbit S & S, Gemini Children's Theater, December 28 – A Charlie Brown McKees Rocks Christmas Live on Stage • geminitheater.org A Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents, 5pm & 7:30pm, Byham Theater • trustarts.org

30 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com December 15 Community Christmas & Live Nativity FREE Live Nativity, stories, carolers & more, 5 - 8pm, South Side Historical Village, Hookstown Fairgrounds • visitbeavercounty.com December 22 & 23 Live Nativity FREE Animals, refreshments & children's crafts, 6 - 8pm, First Baptist Church of Rochester • bcrochester.wixsite.com November 22 - December 30 Overly’s Country Christmas Gates open at 5:30pm, Westmoreland Holiday Exhibits, County • overlys.com November 22 - January 3 Gingerbread House Display Lights & Tours & Competition Grand Lobby of the historic Pittsburgh City-County Building on Grant Street December 2 downtown • ppgplace.com Carnegie Carnegie Tree Lighting Annual tree lighting, create ornaments November 22 - January 3 while munching on treats & sing carols, Spirits of Giving from 6:30 - 7:30pm, Andrew Carnegie Around the World Free Library & Music Hall Lobbies of One PPG Place & Two PPG • carnegiecarnegie.org Place • ppgplace.com December 7 November 29 - January 1 Christmas in the Park Christmas in the Park FREE 5 - 8pm, Townsend Park, New Drive through lighted displays, Brighton • visitbeavercounty.com Grove City Park, Grove City • grovecityareachamber.com December 7 Friday, Dec. 13 at 8:00 p.m. Christmas at Vicary Mansion Thru December 31 Demonstrations, live music, decorated Kraynak's Santa's Christmasland Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2:30 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. trees & more, 2 - 8pm, The Captain Decorated Christmas trees, animated Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m. William Vicary Mansion, Freedom figures & more, Kraynak's, Hermitage • bchrlf.org/events • kraynaks.com/christmas.html Friday, Dec. 20 at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8:00 p.m. December 8 December 7 – Zelienople Historical Christmas Light Parade Society Christmas House Tour Sunday, Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. 5pm, Main Street, Greenville Catered lunch & quilt raffle, 9am Sensory-Friendly Performance • visitmercercountypa.com - 2pm, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m. Zelienople • 724-452-9457 December 14 Deck the halls with boughs of holly – Nativity Showcase & House Tour FREE Over 100 nativity sets from around and all of your favorite holiday music. the world, 2 - 5:30pm, Chippewa United Bring the whole family to Heinz Hall Methodist Church, Beaver Falls and experience Pittsburgh’s • chippewaumc.org holiday tradition! FEATURING: Daniel Meyer, conductor continued on page 33 Ashley Brown, vocals Chris Sanders, special guest The Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh [MATTHEW MEHAFFEY, DIRECTOR] Three Rivers Ringers handbell ensemble Point Park University Vocal Trio Attack Theatre

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PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 31 Multi-cultural experiences for the whole Family this holiday season By Christina Katz

hile you are gathering everyone together for holiday adventures, why not introduce some new cultural experiences? Nothing pulls the family together better than activities where everyone gets to pitch in. While traditions can be com- forting during the darker months, introducing variety into your holiday routines can spice up future memories. WCarry some green into the gloom Try a taste of Hanukkah Most people are familiar If you have never made with Christmas tradition and enjoyed fresh potato of bringing cut trees and pancakes, your family is evergreen tree branches in for a treat! Latkes are into homes to symbolize the traditional fare during anticipation of earth’s re- Hanukkah, the Jewish greening at the conclusion Festival Of Lights. The of winter. Why not visit a story of Hanukkah involves tree farm this year, even if lantern oil miraculously you have a plastic tree? You lasting much longer than could always bring home a expected, which is why oil- less-than-perfect tree and centric foods are featured deconstruct it into boughs throughout the eight days to deck your halls. Do your research online for the best match and nights of this holiday. But don’t take my word for it, whip for your needs. up a batch of latkes with dinner tonight. You probably already Often tree farms close to town supply saws, so all you have have most of the ingredients on hand. to do is dress for the weather and pile in the car. Farms fur- Potato Latke Recipe ther from the maddening crowds might be a little more do-it- yourself, so be sure to check reviews about tree quality and se- • 2 cups coarsely grated baking potatoes, peeled lection. After your have happily picked a tree, cut it down and • 3 large eggs secured it to your car roof, why not treat the family to a hot bev- • 1-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour erage? Don’t forget to take plenty of selfies! continued on page 34 Winter Fun Skate with Santa Skate with Santa Santa Ski Day         Skate with Parker Skate with Parker Snowtubing   with Parker     Snowfest 2020      

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32 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS continued from page 31 Holly Jolly Christmas in Laobe Featuring Santa’s Party in the Park Miniature It’s an all-day Christmas celebration in the heart of downtown Latrobe! Railroad Saturday, December 7, 2019 10am – 3pm This Annual, Family-Friendly Event features: November 9 - January 12 • Santa Claus • Mrs. Claus’s Reading Corner • Children’s Activities 32nd Annual • Live Music & Entertainment • Barrel Train Rides • Food Vendors • Crafters Holiday Display • Artwork, Pottery, Jewelry & More at Latrobe Art Center • Shop at Latrobe Downtown Merchants to Win Prizes! Extended Hours Nov. 29 & Dec. 27. Special Holiday Hours, Dec. The first 300 children at Santa’s Party in the Park (€om 10am - noon) will eceive a gift bag! 26 - 31, F, S & S, W PA Model Railroad Museum, Gibsonia • wpmrm.org

All Year Round Miniature Railroad & Village Celebrate the 100th Anniversary For more info contact Latrobe Art Center of the renowned Miniature 724-537-7011 • HollyJollyLatrobe.com Railroad and see this year's new FREE Parking model – Kaufmann's Department Store replicated in glorious detail! Daily, Carnegie Science Center • carnegiesciencecenter.org

Thru December 13 Santa Trolley F, S & S, Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, Washington • pa-trolley.org Thru December 29 Model R.R. Christmas Open House Fri., Sat. & Sun., Beaver County Model R.R. and Historical Society, Monaca • bcmrr.railfan.net Thru December 29 Holiday Railroad Open House S & S, Noon - 4pm, Rochester Area Heritage Society & Model Railroad Museum • facebook.com/ rochestermuseum Thru December 29 Ridings Family Holiday Display FREE - Train display, holiday movies & cookies, S & S, 11am - 4pm, McCarl Industrial and Agricultural Museum of Beaver County, Darlington • facebook. com/events/430806257463040 Thru January 5 Holiday Train Show A Model Railroad, Museum and Library, open Saturdays & Sundays, Ohio Valley Lines, Ambridge • ohiovalleylines.org continued on page 34

PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 33 MULTI-CULTURAL continued from page 32 Banish some darkness from the world

• 1 tablespoon grated onions In India, Diwali, a five-day • 1-1/4 teaspoons salt holiday of lights, usually happens in the middle of • 1/4 vegetable oil for frying autumn, but the generous Tips: Wrap grated potatoes in a clean dish towel and squeeze spirit of this holiday is as much moisture out of them as you can before you proceed. perfect for families to You may also substitute up to a half cup of another grated root imitate throughout the vegetable for potatoes. If so, squeeze the moisture out of them, holiday season. Diwali as well. Make more than you think you need because they go celebrates the triumph of fast as soon as they are served. light over darkness and Directions: Put frying oil in a flat skillet over medium-high heat. good over evil. Coming Mix all the prepared ingredients together. Drop batter into oil up with a way to celebrate in three-inch cakes about 1/4 inch thick. Fry until browned on this holiday gives families the bottom then flip and repeat browning. If oil starts to scorch, a unique opportunity to discuss real suffering in communities, turn it down. Pancakes should be crisp and can be kept warm regions and even throughout the world. on a plate in the oven on the lowest setting. Place paper towels When approached with a problem-solving slant, even very between layers to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve with or- young children can feel inspired to help other children who ganic applesauce and high-quality sour cream. Makes 12 pan- lack adequate food, clothing or shelter. Families with older cakes. children may want to tackle causes that bring up cautionary re- minders. For example, a family with tween and teen daughters might choose to volunteer for an organization that works with Knock on the door of enlightenment endangered young people. Even making a donation to an or- ganization with a crucial message can be a constructive con- Teaching your children versation-starter. Help kids understand that some of the most how to meditate may concerning problems can be soothed when approached with a be the single-best thing helpful, compassionate attitude. you can do to help them manage stress throughout their lives. In Japan Sparkle up your feast every December eighth, Buddhists celebrate the Most winter holidays moment when the Buddha and festivals have two reached enlightenment. things in common with This holy day is typically our traditional Western observed quietly with Christmas – lighting up chanting and meditation. the space and feasting. Give meditation a try at home. Invite your kids sit on the Why not create a focus on ground with legs crossed comfortably, with a straight back, eyes both of these traditions closed and attention focused gently on the space just above on the Winter Solstice, the the center of their eyebrows. shortest, darkest day of The symbol of the famous Bodhi (fig) tree may be helpful in the year? encouraging them to imagine they have roots reaching down Choose one spot in from the base of their spines and branches reaching up into the your home, like a fire- sky from the top of their heads. Try ‘sitting like a tree’ as a fam- place hearth, and gather all of your candles around it for an ily for just five or ten minutes at first. See how long the whole impactful display. Or scatter little lights and candles through- family can sit still in quiet inner contemplation and then in- out a room or even throughout an entire floor of your home. crease the time gradually. I think most parents would agree that When it’s time to eat, turn off most of the lights inside and en- any amount of time holding completely still would constitute joy your evening meals in the glimmer. Nothing turns up the a small holiday miracle. Commemorate each successful sitting winter magic like relaxing into the almost darkness. This is also session with a cup of herbal tea and a cookie afterwards. a great way to recharge your batteries throughout the typically hectic holiday season. n

Christina Katz wants to live in a world where all cultures and traditions are embraced and enjoyed. You can learn more about her at ChristinaKatz.com.

34 DECEMBER 2019 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide PittsburghParent.com int oderln ajama arty Wear your favorite winter pajamas for an evening at the museum. Jam out in your jammies at a family dance party, take holiday photos, make gifts, eat cookies, and enjoy story time in the galleries.

December 14 5–7 pm. Adults: $10 (Kids 3–12: $5; Kids under 3: Free)

Sending you peace, love and joy this holiday season

From the sta at Pittsburgh Parent Magazine

PittsburghParent.com Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide DECEMBER 2019 35 Around& About DECEMBER Sunday | 1 Friday | 6 Saturday | 14 Visit the Water Little Learner Clubhouse – Disney's Frozen Jr. – Based on the 2018 Windows Through History: 1820’s Vicary Table, Button Wall, Baby Garden, Book Broadway musical, and brings Elsa, Anna, Mansion – Ladies ages 7 - 14, 10am - Cove, Tomato Stand, Learning Tree & and the magical land of Arendelle to life, 1:30pm, The William Vicary Mansion Club House. Daily for Ages 6 & younger & onstage!, December 6 - 7, Greensburg • bchrlf.org their families, Carnegie Science Center Garden & Civic Center • carnegiesciencecenter.org • stagerightgreensburg.com/shows BABY BASICS – Join Dr. Kimberly Pezzone to help prepare you and FREE Storytime & More – For ages December 6 - 15, New Mamma Mia! – your partner for baby, 11am, Weirton 3 - 9, 2pm, 1st Sunday of each month, Castle Playhouse • newcastleplayhouse. Medical, Robinson Twp. Office. Powdermill Nature Reserve, Rector org • carnegiemnh.org • wmcpapysicians.com Saturday 7 Developmental Hockey Leagues – Going | Saturday | 21 Winter Begins through early January for ages 4 - 12. Visit website for days & times, North Park & Let's Move! Family Dance Party – Wintery South Park Ice Rinks mix of music, crafts & treats for the young Sunday | 22 Hanukkah • alleghenycounty.us/youthsports at heart, Noon - 2pm, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Pittsburgh • kelly-strayhorn.org Wednesday 25 Christmas Day Monday | 2 FREE Indoor RC Car Racing – Free for | spectators, great family fun, Big Dog RC, FREE Give Hockey a Shot – Learn the Stoneboro • visitmercercountypa.com basics of skating & hockey in a relaxed, Thursday |26 Kwanzaa noncompetitive atmosphere. No skating Sunday | 8 or hockey experience is required, ages 4 Tuesday | 31 New Year's Eve - 8, Mondays thru Dec. 16, 5:30 - 6:15pm, Hogmany – The festive Scottish New North Park Ice Rink Year's Celebration, 1:30 - 4:30pm, Oliver 5k • alleghenycounty.us/parks Silvester New Year's Celebration – Miller Homestead, South Park race, traditional movie, • olivermillerhomestead.org FREE Sensory Story Time – Mondays, toss & more 3:30 - 6pm, Main & Mercer 10am, Community Room, Western Allegh- Streets, Harmony • harmonymuseum.org eny Library, Oakdale Tuesday |10 Presented by • westernalleghenylibrary.org Jesus Christ Superstar – Sensory Friendly Afternoon – 1 - 5pm, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh, December Tuesday | 3 Children’s Museum Pittsburgh 9 - January 5, Benedum • trustarts.org • pittsburghkids.org Noon Year's Eve – Count down to a FREE For new Ice Skating Lessons – Friday |13 noon ball and let your party animal go and beginning skaters to learn correct wild, 11am - 1pm, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG techniques and basic skills, ages 5+, Tues. Activities, gym Aquarium • pittsburghzoo.org & Thur. thru Dec. 12, 4:40 - 5:20pm, North Parents' Night Out – games & more, 6 - 9pm, Pine Community Park Ice Rink • alleghenycounty.us/parks Noon Year's Eve – Activities, music, danc- Center, Wexford • (*PR) twp.pine.pa.us ing & more, ages 3 - 10, 11am - 1pm, Pine Community Center, Wexford • twp.pine.pa.us/206/Events

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36 DECEMBER 2019 PittsburghParent.com BABY BASICS We can help prepare you and your partner for baby. Join Dr. Kimberly Pezzone Pediatrician at her Robinson Saturday Township O ce December 14 11:00am

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