Special expanded issue! PARENT TO PARENT...4 • Parent to Parent, Fall 2012 gymboreeclasses.com...

Fall 2012:Back to School

PARENT TO PARENT

Gifted Option vs. Neighborhood School.....PAGE 12

NPN’s Top 10 Tips to Start Your Search.....PAGE 22

Transition to Preschool.....PAGE 7

Special expanded issue!

2 • Parent to Parent, Fall 2012

Enrichment classes for children 0 to 5,

school preparation and parent programs.

312.944.7677 www.bubblesacademy.com 1504 N. Fremont. Chicago, IL 60642

Inspiring imaginations since 2003.

npnparents.org • 3

PARENT TO PARENTJill Chukerman, Managing [email protected]

Peggy Fink, [email protected]

Ellie Ander, Marketing & [email protected]

Sarah Cobb, Executive [email protected]

Melanie Schlachter, Associate Executive [email protected]

BJ Slusarczyk, Operations [email protected]

Parent to Parent contains articles and information straight from our NPN member community. For information about editorial submissions, email [email protected]; for advertising, email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

INSIDE THIS ISSUEOUR MISSIONConnecting a diverse community of families with the resources they need to navigate parenting in the city

FeaturesYou Don’t Have to Move Out of the City ..................................... 6

Transition to Preschool ..........................7

Babies Start Learning in the Womb ...... 8

There’s an Art to Managing Artwork .... 9

What Waldorf Early Childhood Taught Me: A Child’s Play is a Waldorf Teacher’s Work ..................... 10

Gifted Option vs. Neighborhood School .........................12

You Will Love Your Baby. Don’t Worry! .......................................16

A Preschool Teacher’s Tips for Easing Separation Anxiety ...................19

You vs. Clutter! ..................................20

NPN’s Top 10 Tips to Start Your Search ............................... 22

Indulge Your Little Foodie Without Emptying Your Wallet! ......... 23

Working Parents’ Guide to Getting Involved ................................ 24

Learning All the Time and Everywhere ........................................ 25

Is Your Child Gifted? How Do You Navigate the CPS System to Find Out? ................... 26

News & InformationNPN Volunteers .....................................5

Social Snapshot ...................................14

Upcoming Events ...............Back Cover

Letter from the Executive Director

Did you know NPN began having School Fairs in the early ’80s? They started with just a room full of school options for families trying to stay in the city and make it work. Today Chicago families have many public and private school options, along with the tools to help us easily share information and make better-educated decisions. When I talk to parents (and even parents-to-be) about school search, I recommend starting with a quick assessment and creating a plan of attack.

• Timing: When will your child ideally start? 18 months or Kindergarten?• Schedule: How many hours a day/days a week do you want/need?

• Proximity: How close to your house or work must school be?

• Costs: What is your annual budget for school? For how many years?

• Walk to school option: Visit your neighborhood CPS school, and talk to the parent community.

• Remember: Each child is different—find “the best school” for you.

No matter how loud the school search noise gets, don’t forget to explore all that Chicago has to offer with NPN. The Calendar (npnparents.org/calendar) is chock-full of:

• Family playdates and events

• Much-deserved parent nights out• Art, culture and theatre options for little guys• Expectant and new parent events• Ways to get involved and give back

Sincerely, Sarah Cobb


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NPN THANkS OUR VOlUNTEERS ClubsAndersonville-Edgewater......................................................Robin.Brannigan/Diane.AvrahamLakeview..................................................................Christine.Jordan/Miranda.Byrd/Ekta.PatelLincoln.Park...................................................................................................... Amy.JohnsonLincoln.Square-North.Center............................................................................. Kelly.CantwellNear.West-South.Side.........................................................................Lisa.Kulisek/Gina.JoslinNorthwest.Side................................................. Diana.Servatius/Kim.Samford/Kristy.BatchelorOld.Irving-Portage.Park.................................................................................... Cyrus.ClausenOld.Town-Gold.Coast................................................................... Mary.McGraw/Marisa.FetterRoscoe.Village................................................................................................... Aimee.Barker.South.Side....................................................................................................Dani.BrzozowskiWest.Town.................................................................................................... Marcie.WolbeckAdoption..........................................................................................Tammy.Miller/Julie.RakayAsian............................................................................................... .Jennifer.Uson/Ying.ZhanAttorney.Moms................................................................................................ Jennifer.BauerDads................................................................................................................ Ian.SmithdahlDevelopmental.Differences................................................... Ellen.Sternweiler/Kandalyn.HahnElementary.School.Parents..............................................Bernadette.Pawlik/Mary.DombrowskiGreen.Parenting...................................................................Ellen.Sternweiler/Sherry.PolachekMoms.BYOB.Dinner.Club......................................................................................Missy.FotjikMoms.in.Business.................................................................Katherine.McHenry/Jenny.PerilloMoms’.Night.Out....................................................................... Shawna.Goelz/Mandy.MoiseMoms.Over.35................................................................................. Marie.Lona/Lisa.MendellMultiples........................ Cari.Matykiewicz/Becky.Reno/Melissa.Manning/Michelle.Gauthreaux

New.Moms.Over.40............................ Sarah.Squires-Doyle/Pamela.Chianelli/Melissa.DerocheParents.of.One.................................................................................................. Amy.JohnsonSame.Sex.Parents.................................................................. Monique.Urban/Angela.DebelloSingle.Parents...................................................................................................Angela.KezonWorking.Moms...............................Rebekah.Kohmescher/Gretchen.Speakman/Amanda.Wiley

ResourcesLegal.Counselor...............................................................................................Heather.Varon.

NPN Board of DirectorsPresident................................................................ Kelly.AhujaVice.President..................................................... Alex.GuzmanTreasurer...............................................Laurie.Bauman.NelsonSecretary.......................................... Jennifer.Guimond-QuigleyBoard.Members.............................................Robin.Brannigan. Elisa.Kronish.Drake. Marie.Lona. Cindy.McCarthy. Jessica.Minahan. Kristin.Myers. Victoria.Nygren. Kevin.O’Brien. Sharmila.Rao.Thakkar


KICK IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NPN AND LIL’ KICKERS!

Grab the kids and head over for anevening of celebration and fun!

What: NPN Pre-New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

Where: Lil’ Kickers Bradley Place, 2640-B W. Bradley, Chicago

When: Sunday, December 30, 2012, 4:30 pm–7:30 pm

Who: NPN member families only

Save the date and purchase tickets early—this event sold out last year! More details coming at npnparents.org


YOU DON’T HAVE TO MOVE OUT Of THE CITY By Grace Lee Sawin and Carolyn Gold Aberman, Chicago School GPS, NPN members since 2003 and 2011

What do I do next?After breathing a sigh of relief because you never wanted to move out of the city, you probably want to know what to do next. Finding that great school for your child usually takes some effort. Chicago has a number of preschool options, with varying degrees of flexibility, and some even provide your family with an educational home all the way through high school. Although many private schools begin at preschool (and if you want to go to one of those schools, you should apply at the earliest possible stage to maximize your chance of admission), most public schools start at kindergarten, and some selective enrollment programs do not begin until 1st grade. While it may be hard to fathom as you wade into your school search, children might change schools at any grade level for various reasons. The beauty of Chicago is, with the proper research or guidance, you can find the best school fit for your children at any stage of their education, however their school needs evolve.

ResourcesThere are many resources for families to learn about school options, and NPN is a great place to begin your search. The NPN Online School Directory can help you find schools by ZIP code and provides information about those schools, while the NPN School Fairs offer a terrific forum to meet administrators, teachers and/or parents from many of Chicago’s public and private schools. At Chicago School GPS we have comprehensive calendars of public and private preschool, elementary and high school open houses and tour dates that can help you plan your school search.

Congratulations on your decision to stay in the city! We know you won’t be sorry.

If you have a baby and live within Chicago’s city limits, you have invariably been involved in discussions about how and where you will educate your children. Perhaps you have friends who have moved to the suburbs, some even before they got pregnant and others just in time to start kindergarten, with education being their primary motivator. You may or may not, however, have met any of the thousands of families who are successfully raising their kids in the city and wouldn’t change their experience for anything.

Breadth of educational optionsAs the nation’s third-largest city, Chicago offers an incredible breadth of school choices to fit every family’s educational goals. There are school choices in all age ranges so your selection does not have to be set in stone from the first day of Pre-K. While this may alarm parents feeling overwhelmed by their impending school searches, veteran parents who have stayed in the city have sung the praises of having many options when considering their family’s best school fit. Whether you are seeking a specific educational philosophy (Montessori, Reggio Emilio, Friends, Waldorf, International Baccalaureate, etc.) or religion (Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) or language (French, German, Polish, etc.) or makeup (single gender or co-ed classes), Chicago has something to offer everyone.

If your goal is to have more than two acres of land, you don’t mind hours of commuting time, and you are fine with a single choice of public, parochial and/or private school, the suburbs may be right for you. But if you love the diversity, culture and energy of the city (as we do) and want to take advantage of a rich educational landscape that can accommodate the needs and talents of each of your children, you can’t do much better than staying put.

Grace Lee Sawin and Carolyn Gold Aberman, along with Ginger Hecht,

are co-founders of Chicago School GPS (ChiSchoolGPS.com), which

helps Chicago families navigate public and private school searches, from

preschool to high school, so they arrive at their school destination and

enjoy the benefits of our diverse and dynamic city.

AS THE NATION’S THIRD-lARgEST CITY, CHICAgO OffERS AN INCREDIblE bREADTH Of SCHOOl CHOICES TO fIT EVERY fAMIlY’S EDUCATIONAl gOAlS.


care for your child. Continue to talk to your children about school, their expectations and feelings during this transition. You know them better than anybody and will sense how things are going at school. If your children seem to be upset, nervous or struggling with separating, talking to the teachers and your children will help everyone figure out the best plan to ease their anxieties.

Have a scheduleYoung children thrive with a routine. A routine involving going to school, saying goodbye when you leave school and departing school at the end of the day will help your children ease into their school environment. The school will also use a schedule to enhance the children’s social and emotional development. You can use the school schedule to help instill a sense of constancy and trust in your children—for example: “After the goodbye song, I will be there to take you home.” If children start the day with free play, you and your child can choose an area of the classroom to visit first each day and you can say goodbye there. Whatever the routine, your children will take comfort in knowing what is coming next and trust that each day will be the same, ending with a loving caregiver returning to take them home.

Bring your “lovie”Your child may have a special blanket, stuffed animal or toy to comfort and soothe. This “lovie” or transitional object can be helpful when your child starts a new school. Talk with teachers about how to incorporate this item into the school routine. A family picture, a special sticker or a specific object in the classroom may also serve as a transitional object the child gravitates toward each day. Whatever the item, the child can use it for comfort during times of unease.

Always say goodbyeHearing goodbye gives the transition from home to school fluency. The child knows that now is the time to be at school with teachers and friends and soon enough a loving caregiver will return.

So when you are getting ready for preschool, remember that preparing, communicating, behaving consistently, using transitional objects and saying goodbye will smooth the way for a successful school experience for your family.

The school year is quickly approaching! Whether your child is heading to preschool for the first time or starting at a new school, this time of year is always a period of transition for you and your child. While transitions can be exciting, they also have the potential to be stressful and overwhelming. With the helpful tips below, this time can be a positive experience for everyone.

Be preparedBefore school starts, try to visit—walk by, see the classroom or attend an open house. A sneak peek at their new environment gives children something concrete to refer to when you discuss “school.” It creates excitement for school to start. Talk about their expectations of school and exciting new adventures they will experience along with familiar toys, songs and books. It is also helpful to prepare yourself and the school for your child’s arrival. Talk with the director and teachers before school starts and continue this communication throughout the year. Let them know about your family, ask questions about the school and the routine.

Talk, talk, talkCommunication between home and school is key not only during this transition, but also throughout your child’s schooling. The more the school staff knows about your child and your family life, the more equipped they will be to

WHIlE TRANSITIONS CAN bE ExCITINg, THEY AlSO HAVE THE POTENTIAl TO bE STRESSfUl AND OVERWHElMINg. bUT THIS TIME CAN bE A POSITIVE ExPERIENCE fOR EVERYONE.

TRANSITION TO PRESCHOOl By Joanna Kovar and Becca Goering, The Nicholson School, NPN member since 2009

The Nicholson School was founded by Joanna Taylor, mother of a

six-year-old, to honor her grandmother and create a preschool near

home. The school’s philosophy is that children absorb knowledge

through their unique combinations of experiences and representations.

Nicholson teachers respect children’s individual learning styles by

creating a play-based, age-appropriate, intentional classroom.

Photo.courtesy.The.Nicholson.School.


Messy fun is the best kind of learning. Exploring the world is something kids do naturally. Keeping the mind open and the heart curious is true learning. In my classroom, we learned how to live together like a family. We learned to love each other and treat each other with kindness and respect. We did many wonderful projects. I loved teaching because I love children. I looked forward to going to work every single day. I enjoyed being paid to play with children!

It is the teachers that make the school. If they love children and have a love for learning, things go well. When evaluating schools, determine if the option you are considering will encourage and support your children and meet their needs in a holistic way. We are so much more than just our minds. Our children spend many years in school. Ask yourself if the school is a place you would like to go to every day. Children learn what they live. I learned so much from my students about life. Children can be our greatest teachers.

Learning begins the minute we are conceived. We are sensate beings and fully aware of energetic vibrations through our mothers. Babies are aware of much more than we think. Our first school is our mothers’ wombs. Our tiny bodies record everything we experience there.

Our birth experience is our next big learning event. If we come into this world as gently as possible, we learn to trust. If we are awake and aware during the birth process, we can fully participate by kicking and pushing. We can look around and know that our parents are there. We feel safe in their arms. If our basic needs are met, we learn that life is good.

When your children become mobile, they are like sponges for learning. They pick up their cues from their parents’ attitudes about life. Learning is a mind, body and spirit process. If their needs are balanced with those of their parents, there is harmony. You may want to take your children to small play groups. Each child is different; watch for signs of stress. Too much too soon can be stressful for small children.

Children are born with innate curiosity. They have open minds and open hearts. How do we protect and guide them? If they are in an environment that is safe and encourages independent thinking, learning will progress naturally. A safe and happy environment encourages growth and development. Children learn more in their first five years than during an entire lifetime. The more individual attention babies and toddlers receive, the happier they will be as adults. They learn about life through play and interaction. Providing for their stimulation without over-stimulating keeps children in balance.

What are we teaching our children?I taught in the public school system for many years. Early on, I realized children learn best by doing. If they have a variety of experiences, even better. Children have a range of learning styles: some are visual, some are tactile, and some learn best through sound. Imagine if children are engaging all their senses how much they would learn. I also found out that if an experience involved the joy of discovery, it was even richer. We had so much fun and it was messy!

bAbIES START lEARNINg IN THE WOMb By Jo Anne Lindberg, BirthLink, NPN member since 2012

Jo Anne Lindberg is a certified Asian medicine practitioner, grandmother

and birth advocate. She created BirthLink.com in 1996. She continues

to advocate for families worldwide and will do so until the majority of

mothers are birthing with midwives.

CHIlDREN ARE bORN WITH INNATE CURIOSITY. THEY HAVE OPEN MINDS AND OPEN HEARTS. HOW DO WE PROTECT AND gUIDE THEM?

Photo.courtesy.Jo.Anne.Lindberg.

npnparents.org • 9npnparents.org • 9

THERE’S AN ART TO MANAgINg ARTWORkBy Karli Bertocchi, NPN member since 2011

• Don’t rush to make a comment like, “That’s pretty.” Instead, let your child tell you how he/she made the picture or craft. Ask your child to tell you what’s happening in the picture. Why did he/she choose certain colors?

• Once you’ve chosen pieces to save, label them with the child’s name and date on the back.

• Here are some creative ways to display and store those masterpieces:

1. A wire curtain rod and clips (available at Ikea) can accommodate a lot of artwork across a wall.

2. Lil DaVinci Dynamic Frames offers a flexible option for display.

3. Apartment Therapy uses simple clip boards to display artwork.

4. Mailing tubes can safely accommodate dozens of pictures.

5. For infinite storage, go digital: scan, label and back up. You can then put them in a digital frame or make them into notecards. For bigger projects, or multimedia 3-D pictures like a pasta collage, take a picture and store the memory along with notes from you or your child.

However you decide to exhibit the artwork, or store it as a keepsake, take advantage of your children’s imaginations and listen to what’s going on in their heads and hearts. Those conversations are sure to create precious memories you will want to recount again and again.

When your kids go back to school, you face a new organizing challenge, and managing all the artwork that will grace your home takes that challenge up a level. That first piece goes onto the fridge, and before you know it, every inch is covered and the piles start to grow. The challenge isn’t just displaying them: How do you decide which ones to keep?

Ask your child to explain the artwork. When Miles brought home art projects, of course I told him I liked them. One day, when I picked him up, his teacher said, “Miles, can you show your mother what you did today?” Miles brought over a piece of paper with rice and pasta stuck to it. After I complimented him, his teacher asked Miles to tell me about it.

Miles then gave an explanation of the life cycle of a butterfly, pointing to the rice and pasta pieces: “These are the eggs, the caterpillar, chrysalis, then butterfly.” I was stunned—first, that not-quite-four-year-old Miles could say and understand what a chrysalis was, and second, that by automatically complimenting his artwork, I was missing an opportunity to let my little boy articulate what he was learning in school.

As any parent knows, not all artwork has the same meaning. Some are exercises in scribbling with a crayon; others are an experiment in smushing paint into the paper. And while those projects are just as colorful, it is the ones with a story that deserve a place on your wall or desk to help you relive those wonderful memories.

Appreciative inquiry can help us determine which works of art to curate, and they have the added benefit of drawing us even closer to our children. Here are some tips I learned from Miles’ teachers for talking to your children about their art.

APPRECIATIVE INqUIRY CAN HElP US DETERMINE WHICH WORkS Of ART TO CURATE, AND THEY HAVE THE ADDED bENEfIT Of DRAWINg US EVEN ClOSER TO OUR CHIlDREN. Photo.courtesy.Classic.Kids.Photography.Studio.

Karli Bertocchi and her husband Ben live in Lincoln Park with their two boys,

Miles and Maxwell. She founded her organizing company Organized With Style

in 2004, helping clients organize their homes, offices and relocations.


cin salach is a mother, poet, teacher, freelance writer and grateful

member of NPN. She has lived in Chicago her whole life and currently

lives in Andersonville with her son Leo.

WHAT WAlDORf EARlY CHIlDHOOD TAUgHT ME: A CHIlD’S PlAY IS A WAlDORf TEACHER’S WORkBy cin salach, NPN member in 2008–09 and again in 2012

Full belly, full heart, full spiritThe Waldorf Early Childhood classroom is a sacred place. The feeling is tangible: soft colors, draped silk, wooden playstands. Everything invites you to crawl in and stay awhile.

Each day when I pick up my son, his eyes are shining. He has kneaded the bread that will be baked and shared with his classmates at snack time. He has sung songs and gone on adventures through stories told by his teacher. He is bright with energy. All the children are. What happens to create that? I wished to be a fly on the wall.

After accompanying a class outing one day, I was spontaneously invited back by one of the kindergarteners to share a snack. The teacher smiled her confirmation. I was in!

Back at school we enter the classroom wordlessly, and I watch my son, arms folded in reverence, singing. He is focused, engaged. The circle opens and we gather around a table set with cloth napkins and mugs of fresh water.

The day’s snack is patiently passed out by two of the children. The teacher tells a story from her life that makes her more human and more magical at the same time. My son is enrapt. After snack, the children know where the plates go, where the cups go. Calm. Simple. These are the cornerstones of Waldorf Early Childhood. Gentle. Intentional. Nourished in body, mind and spirit, my son and his classmates (and me!) head out to play.

CommunityI debated about the necessity of buying a school yearbook for my son’s first “year” (three mornings a week in Early Childhood) but I am so glad I did. It is his new favorite book—we read all the names, first and last, of his classmates. Then other classes. Then teachers and faculty. I am amazed at the number of students and teachers he knows. Then I realize part of his work in Early Childhood is building community, and the teachers and staff work hard to nurture and facilitate it.

My son kisses his class picture before bed. (I’m not making that up!) Last night the bear in the story we were reading was sad because he didn’t want to stop playing with his friends at school. My son said the bear should go to his school because they have lots of time with their friends and never feel sad.

At what costA good friend sent her children to a private school from early childhood through 8th grade. She told me that at first, the idea of paying thousands of dollars for preschool seemed ridiculous. Then she realized that is exactly when you should pay for school because these first years are the foundation of their entire educational lives.

I appreciate that financial aid makes Waldorf a possible option for families of varying incomes, especially mine. Because when I think of my son’s connection to his new community, his school pride at age four, I know that Waldorf is worth every penny!

I REAlIzE PART Of HIS WORk IN EARlY CHIlDHOOD IS bUIlDINg COMMUNITY, AND THE TEACHERS AND STAff WORk HARD TO NURTURE AND fACIlITATE IT.

Photo.courtesy.cin.salach.


The Center for Children and Families provides family-centered assessment and treatment for children birth through 8.

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A former CPS school teacher, Jay Annadurai now spends her kid-free

time as program director for NPN, often helping other parents with

their own school search. She and her family love living and learning in

the city and are particularly fond of their family-friendly neighborhood

of North Center.

gIfTED OPTION VS. NEIgHbORHOOD SCHOOl By Jay Annadurai, NPN Program Director, NPN member since 2006

After weeks of waiting, the Round 2 letter from Chicago Public Schools Office of Access and Enrollment arrived. I didn’t have high hopes. We had made the selective enrollment testing process very low-key for our daughter Leela, forgoing any formal “prepping.” Instead, we kept our routine of reading before bed, visiting museums and the library and spending a lot of time just talking. On test day, Leela thought she was going to talk with a grownup about kindergarten. Admittedly, this approach may have backfired. Not understanding the significance of the “interview,” and in true sassy five-year-old fashion, Leela told me she mostly ignored the assessor’s questions, making jokes and telling silly stories. “Well, there goes that,” I thought. When Leela’s scores arrived in late March, I was astonished to see she had scored quite well. I was less astonished that, despite her results, she wasn’t offered a gifted spot.

But then, lo and behold, the Round 2 results rolled in and Leela was offered a spot in a kindergarten options program! Now what? Our family was beyond proud of Leela. With one week to decide, we frantically searched for the magical “right” decision. I talked with friends, emailed other parents, looked for input on NPN’s Discussion Board and cpsobsessed.com, even asked strangers what they would do. Comments ranged from people declaring we’d be crazy to turn down a gifted spot to those recommending we invest in our neighborhood school. We realized it was up to us to determine what was right for Leela. Here’s what we considered:

1. Commute: Our neighborhood school is across the street from our house. To get to the options kindergarten classroom, Leela would travel by bus at least an hour each way. Was that too much for a five-year-old?

2. Community: Both schools have great parent communities and support networks. However, the appeal of getting involved in our local community, our local school, was strong. I loved knowing Leela’s classmates would be mostly within walking distance and we’d see them in our ‘hood.

3. Academics: After speaking with the options kindergarten teacher, I learned that her classroom would use a 1st grade curriculum, giving Leela access to lots of new material. The neighborhood program also has opportunities for differentiated instruction and enrichment, but we worried Leela might not be challenged enough. But would the options classroom be too challenging? With years of schooling ahead, I wanted Leela to enjoy learning and all the other aspects of school instead of being stressed out with too much schoolwork.

4. Sibling policy: A huge perk of our neighborhood school is the guarantee of a spot for Leela’s little brother; not so with the options classroom. With our current work schedules and family structure, having two kids in two different schools would not work.

5. Classroom dynamics: With the options program, Leela would likely have the same 28 students in her core classroom each year (although they mix with other neighborhood students during lunch, recess and specials). Our neighborhood school has more than 120 incoming kindergarteners, increasing the likelihood of new faces in Leela’s classroom each year.

In the end, we went with our gut feeling—we turned down the options offer and enrolled Leela in our neighborhood school. We don’t think one school or program is better than the other. Our neighborhood school is a better choice for our family.

In June, Leela met her teacher and new classmates during kindergarten orientation. Seeing Leela run confidently up the steps of the school we pass each day and greet her neighborhood friends with hugs and shrieks of excitement confirms we chose the right school for our little girl. Thankfully, we have three more years before we have to go through this again with our son!

PEOPlE DEClARED WE’D bE CRAzY TO TURN DOWN A gIfTED SPOT; OTHERS RECOMMENDED WE INVEST IN OUR NEIgHbORHOOD SCHOOl. WE REAlIzED IT WAS UP TO US TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS RIgHT fOR lEElA.

Photo.courtesy.Jay.Annadurai.


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PJ Library is available to families with children ages 6 months – 8 years living in the Chicago area.

To learn more and sign up visit us at www.juf.org/pjlibrary,www.facebook.com/pjlibrarychicago or call 312-357-4831.

Once upon a time there was anaward-winning program - PJ Library -that sent FREE Jewish children’s books

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SOCIAl SNAPSHOT

CONNECTINg CHICAgO PARENTS

bIg NPN fORUM NEWS Our new NPN Discussion Forum makes staying connected even easier! Enjoy these cool new enhancements on the go with the new mobile feature. Get trusted parent-to-parent advice and support while you wait for music class to start, in the school pickup line or at the doctor’s office.

1. Mobile Access: Participate in the forums from your mobile device.

2. Improved Searching: Improved browsing, searching and filtering.

3. My Content: No more hunting for your posts, responses and favorites.

4. New/Unread Content: The new site highlights all new/unread content for you.

5. Childcare Forum: Daycare, nanny and babysitting services have their own forum so members can focus on topics they care about.

6. Personalization: Personalize the forum with your user handle and image.

7. Notifications: Control the frequency of receiving new posts and responses—immediately, daily, weekly, etc.

8. Social Groups: Connect with other Chicago parents by joining an existing group or creating your own.

9. Coming soon: Personal Messaging and in-system emails

10. Coming soon: Classifieds (improved buy, sell, swap features)

Moms Night Out @ Ruby Room The Style of WellnessPhoto by Eva Ho Photography.

Pediatrics 101 with Dr. Anjali Rao @ Northwestern Memorial Physicians GroupPhoto by Naomi Epstein Photography.

Moms in Business Summer Style Party @ CakeStylePhoto by Eva Ho Photography.

New Members Mingle @ Bubbles AcademyPhoto by ShinPhoto.


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And as you sit there on the fence, you say, “What have I done? Why isn’t my heart bursting with joy for this little person in every moment?” You’re glad to see her, you have glimpses of bliss, but mostly, you feel concern. “Am I doing this right?” “Is she eating enough?” “Is the room too cold?” “Why won’t she stop crying?” “Is she breathing?” It almost feels like you would have more room for love and joy if you weren’t so darn scared you were going to do something horrible to screw this up.

I wish someone, anyone, had told me: you will find yourself filled with that love and joy you felt immediately after the birth of your child—but it may not happen instantly. For me, it took a couple weeks. At some point I stopped feeling that sharp concern, looked at my wife holding our little girl and just felt the love.

Three things to help the bliss along:

• Let go a little. You don’t need to be perfect, and you won’t be. Allow yourself to screw up, and go easy on your partner if he/she doesn’t change the diaper the way you do.

• When the baby is crying, holler with her. Not too loud, you don’t want to scare her, but if she’s having a wail, then join her in blowing off a little steam. And then laugh about it.

• Laugh about it. Yes, that’s written twice because it’s important. The family that laughs together stays together.

One of my first real moments of feeling like a parent came with laughter. My wife and I were worried because our little girl was falling asleep as she nursed. We were scared she wasn’t getting enough to eat, so we started singing to keep her awake and eating. We danced around at 3 a.m., singing the words below to the tune of “Farmer In the Dell,” then cracked up because we were dancing around with an infant at 3 a.m.

If we are not asleep, You are not asleep.Let’s all be awake, So we can all go back to sleep.

Don’t forget to dance.

When you’re about to have a baby, you hear a thousand variations on a single theme.

“Get your sleep in now! Ha ha ha!”“You’re gonna be so tired when that baby comes!”“Get ready to have no life! Ha ha ha!”

This onslaught of quips prepares you well for feeling a bit drained those first few months. You will get a lot of advice, like “nap when the baby naps” and “take care of yourself, because if you don’t, you won’t be any good to your baby.” So it was nice to realize I wasn’t a zombie, and a baby who wakes up every two hours to feed still sleeps soundly in those two hours, and so could I.

In those first weeks, I did wonder why no one prepared me for one thing. Before my child’s birth, not one person told me about this, and after going through it, I talked to a few friends with kids and asked them if they went through it. They all said they did, but it’s something they almost can’t remember.

Ambivalence. Not depression or sadness, but a real “on the fence” feeling.

On one side, you’re truly happy to see this baby you’ve been waiting for. She’s beautiful, she looks like a shriveled grandpa, and she’s warm and adorable. On the other side, you’re thinking, “This is what I signed up for? Where is the fun? Aren’t babies supposed to be a little fun?”

YOU WIll lOVE YOUR bAbY. DON’T WORRY!By Sean Archer, NPN member since 2011

Sean Archer is a singer/songwriter, cartoonist and author of the

upcoming children’s book Milo Decides to Be. You can read his work

at milothecloud.com. He and his wife Iryna joined NPN after the birth

of their beautiful daughter Emma.

AT SOME POINT I STOPPED fEElINg THAT SHARP CONCERN, lOOkED AT MY WIfE HOlDINg OUR lITTlE gIRl AND jUST fElT THE lOVE.

Photo.courtesy.Sean.Archer.


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A PRESCHOOl TEACHER’S TIPS fOR EASINg SEPARATION ANxIETY By Annette Gendler, NPN member since 2008

“Fake it until you make it.” That is one piece of advice Kelli Harris, associate preschool director at Akiba-Schechter, gives parents who are leaving their two-year-olds at preschool for the first time. “Even if you’re uneasy about leaving your child, don’t show it,” she said. “Cry in the hallway. Kids know when their parents feel unsure, and that makes them feel unsure themselves.”

Based on her 10 years of experience teaching preschool, Harris says easing separation anxiety boils down to 3 Cs:

Cooperation. Trust your child’s teacher. Even if you don’t know that teacher well yet, trust that she’s been doing her job for a while, and rely on her experience. See the teacher as a resource to help you through the process. Most likely, she’s been through it many times. Ask for her advice. Keep in mind that your child’s teacher wants to work with you. You’re a team.

Clarity. If you’ve been telling your child school is a good thing, and he’s going to have so much fun there, then don’t tell him you’re sorry you’re leaving him. That is confusing. When you tell your child you’re leaving, leave. Say goodbye and don’t stick around. Actions need to follow words.

Consistency. Stick with the program. Leave even if your child is crying. According to Harris, saying goodbye is the hard part, so make it swift but something your child can count on. Knowing what will happen is comforting. Most kids, Harris says, are done crying by the time you get to your car. But never just leave. Saying goodbye is an important part of the routine you’re trying to establish. Similarly, be on time when you pick up your child. Being the only one left after all the other children have been picked up is scary, especially during the first few days. Once your child understands the school routine and is comfortable with his teachers, a parent showing up late is less of an issue.

For most kids, Harris has found, separation anxiety is not an issue after two weeks. If your child is having a particularly hard time, find a classroom activity she likes, and head for that when you arrive. Get her situated and comfortable before you leave. Take that time to read her favorite book or get her set up at the easel. Bringing a lovie, like a favorite blanket, might also help, but check on classroom policy first.

Leaving your child at school for the first time is hard for parents and child alike, but minding the 3 Cs— namely, being cooperative, clear and consistent—will ease the process for you and your child. Pretty soon your child will have adjusted to the big world of school while you might still feel that little twinge at how grown up he already is.

lEAVINg YOUR CHIlD AT SCHOOl fOR THE fIRST TIME IS HARD fOR PARENTS AND CHIlD AlIkE, bUT MINDINg THE 3 CS—bEINg COOPERATIVE, ClEAR AND CONSISTENT—WIll EASE THE PROCESS fOR YOU AND YOUR CHIlD.

Photo.by.Matt.Dinerstein.


Here are some resources for your donations:

Baby stuff and more npnparents.org/how-to-recycle-baby-kid-stuff

Shoes shareyoursoles.org/charity/donate-shoes-chicago

Books open-books.org/

Toys and clothes hullhouse.org/supportus/donateitems.html

Knowing your things will be in good hands or used well will enhance your joy in giving and create more room for you.

Modifying your thinking can help make a difference in your physical space. When you’re ready to take an honest inventory of your possessions, you will be able to take action against the clutter. When your kids learn these skills from you by observing your actions, they will carry on those habits as they grow up, leading to their own uncluttered, organized homes someday. And they’ll have you to thank!

It’s back-to-school season, and it’s back to schedule-juggling and artwork invasion. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could plan and prepare for this chaos ahead of time? Imagine yourself in a state of organized bliss, living in a clutter-free home, with all parts of your life merged seamlessly because everyone in your home knows where everything is and where it belongs. Not a farfetched dream if you recognize that de-cluttering and organizing involve changing your mindset. Here’s the secret—you can win the fight against clutter if you tackle it with your mind first.

What does that mean? Changing your mindset. If you want your children to help you keep the house in order, start by being an example. Learn how to identify clutter, recognize what causes clutter and know how to overcome clutter.

Here are four easy yet powerful tips to help you win this battle using your mind:

SAY IT! Try saying “more than enough” instead of “not enough.” Say it out loud so it actually registers in your mind.

SPOT IT! Learn how to identify clutter. I don’t mean just recognizing when things are out of place. Be aware, as you sort items, of when things have lost value or usefulness. Second, be conscious of how many things do not have a “home” or are in the wrong “home.”

SPACE IT! Create more storage to fit your belongings by clearing the clutter instead of making space for new items you plan to purchase. Storage systems and organizing products are wonderful, but nothing is more liberating than giving yourself extra space and freedom in your home.

DONATE IT! Sometimes parents find it hard to part with their child’s old things, especially if they have sentimental value. One option is to think about finding a “new home” for your items with someone less fortunate. Another is to donate your items to a family member, friend or neighbor.

YOU VS. ClUTTER!By Pooja N. Gugnani, NPN member since 2012

Pooja Gugnani is a professional organizer and owner of Organizing

With You, Inc., offering residential and business organizing services.

She provides customized solutions and organization systems, catering

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NPN’S TOP 10 TIPS TO START YOUR SEARCH

7. Reserve spots early for school tours and visitation days. Dates are usually available by September 1, and on-site contact with the school, students and administration helps facilitate your decisions.

8. Attend the NPN School Fairs. More than 100 public and private preschools and elementary schools send representatives to meet parents, giving you one-stop access to make personal connections, consider new options and determine next steps in the application process.

9. Seek out valid word of mouth recommendations. Ask your friends, acquaintances, neighbors and co-workers for their opinions on school options. Parents are usually willing to talk about their school, especially if they are particularly happy or unhappy with their choice. There is a plethora of free information available if you take the time to ask around for thoughts, advice, etc.

10. Remember, there is likely more than one solution for your family. Try not to get your heart set on one school. Spread your net as wide as possible. Many wait lists move and no decision is permanent.

1. Determine your family’s school search criteria. Consider factors such as cost, location, public or private, schedule, after-school programs, etc.

2. Go to the NPN School page (npnparents.org/schools) to:

a. Check out the upcoming School Fair details and RSVP.

b. Download your NPN School eDirectory so you have the latest info ready to search.

c. Visit the NPN Online School Directory and enter your search criteria/must-haves to create a short list of schools to explore.

3. Dip into the NPN Discussion Forum. Gain access to our members’ thoughts about school search. You can search within already-relevant topics such as “preschoolers” and “school days.” Or start your own topic!

4. Check out your CPS neighborhood school: Visit schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us/ to identify your neighborhood school. Talk to parent groups at the school for firsthand feedback and plan for the near future. Use the NPN School eDirectory to get the stats.

5. Take advantage of CPS resources.

a. Visit cps.edu for updated information on Chicago Public Schools.

b. Visit cpsmagnet.org for information on magnet, gifted and enriched programs.

6. Attend NPN’s Chicago School Choice sessions. Panelists and school search experts will discuss the process and answer audience questions. Space is limited. (Visit npnparents.org/groups/chicago-school-choice)

MARk YOUR CAlENDAR fOR NPN’S ANNUAl SCHOOl fAIRSSep. 22: South Side Preschool and Elementary School Fair, presented by NPN and Hyde Park Parents Support Network. Free and open to the public. Hosted by Hyde Park Neighborhood Club.

Oct. 13: Annual NPN Preschool and Elementary School Fair, a unique opportunity for NPN members to interact with representatives of 120+ public and private schools and enrichment programs. Hosted by Grossinger City Autoplex.

VISIT THE NPN CAlENDAR fOR THE lATEST EVENT DETAIlS AND TO RSVP!


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INDUlgE YOUR lITTlE fOODIE WITHOUT EMPTYINg YOUR WAllET! By Cindy McCarthy, NPN member since 2008, NPN board member since 2011

Do you love eating out with your kiddos, but hate spending $6.95 for a grilled cheese your toddler is only going to take two bites from? Did you know that Chicago boasts more than 35 restaurants where kids eat free, including some fine dining establishments? Check out these choices for FREE kids’ meals:

Cindy McCarthy is a mother of two, an urban explorer of kid-sized Chicago and founder of onthegoChicago.com, which highlights the best kid-sized places to go eat,

shop, play and learn in Chicago. Parents Magazine named it Best Local Website in the Nation for 2012.

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Kids also get to make their own pizzas at Scoozi’s in River North.

In the mood for delicious Cuban food? Try Cafe Con Leche in Wicker Park.

The wine list is excellent and the bruschetta is tasty at Frasca Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Lakeview. (every day)

Head to Logan Square and enjoy dinner at Dunlay’s on the Square, a friendly, cozy neighborhood gem. (every day)

Want to grab breakfast or lunch? Bakin’ & Eggs in Lakeview has delicious food, including flights of bacon!

When you think of fine dining, you rarely think kids eat free, but they can at Chalkboard in North Center. (also Mon.–Thurs.)

Take a trip down South by heading to Andersonville. Big Jones specializes in coastal southern cuisine. (every day)


Help with classroom suppliesAll classrooms need things, from wipes to snacks. Supplying these items is a way to help when your work schedule prevents you from being there in person. Add classroom needs to your grocery or Target list and send them with your child to school. You will feel a lot less guilty, the teacher will be thrilled to have the assistance, and your child will see that you are involved.

When you get involved, you also have a better chance of getting past the “How was your day?”—“Fine” dialogue. You will know what to ask about and actually have a chance for some interesting dinner conversations.

When people tell you to get involved in your child’s school, it can sound daunting if you are a parent who works full time and sometimes feel like you can barely get through the day. Where do you begin?

Here are my recommendations for how to make it happen in a way that works for you and makes your child feel like a superstar.

Take a field tripPlan ahead and volunteer for your child’s class field trip. In one day you experience learning and fun with your child, get to know other parents and take care of your volunteering commitment. If you are going to take a day off, do it with your child! Parent participation on field trips is critical, so everyone will benefit from having you there.

Participate in the classroomRespond to the teacher’s request to help with an in-classroom activity. From decorating gingerbread houses to leading story times, these types of activities involve limited time commitments, are easy and fun and mean so much to your little one. Kids feel proud to have a parent in the mix with them! And you get to see how teachers manage a large classroom; you might learn discipline tactics, teaching methods and other tips to easily apply at home. Learning how they learn is critical to bringing school and home life together.

WORkINg PARENTS’ gUIDE TO gETTINg INVOlVEDBy Victoria Nygren, COUNTRY Financial, NPN member since 2008, NPN board member since 2009

Victoria Nygren serves as agency manager of the Chicago North

Agency for COUNTRY Financial. She manages six offices housing 25

financial representatives. Nygren has developed programs for NPN’s

Parent University to help families plan their financial future.

WHEN YOU gET INVOlVED, YOU AlSO HAVE A bETTER CHANCE Of gETTINg PAST THE “HOW WAS YOUR DAY?”—“fINE” DIAlOgUE.

Photo.courtesy.Victoria.Nygren.


Natalie Bortoli is vice president of educational programming and

experience development at Chicago Children’s Museum and holds an

Ed.M. from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.

lEARNINg All THE TIME AND EVERYWHERE By Natalie Bortoli, Chicago Children’s Museum, NPN member since 2011

Back-to-school season typically invokes the excitement of a new classroom, new supplies and a brand new year of learning for our children. But it also means a return to the school-day routine and assignments—a busy schedule that can leave the more open-ended explorations of summer a distant memory. However, those adventures need not be a seasonal phenomenon.

When adults talk about their most formative experiences as children, they often note those that took place outside school—in their basements and in makeshift baseball fields, in parks or on their neighborhood streets. They shared these times with siblings and friends, when they had a chance to openly explore, create, imagine and relate.

From playing in the living room to visiting the grocery store or taking a trip to the park, library or museum, out-of-school experiences provide great opportunities for children to grow and learn in new ways.

Do it togetherLearning in non-school settings provides an opportunity for children to learn alongside family members. When families are engaged in a shared activity, children learn with, from and about their most immediate role models. It’s also a chance for children to deepen relationships, hone conversation skills and gain understanding of their family’s experiences and values.

By engaging in broader community-based settings, children interact with people who may be different from the immediate school or neighborhood friends they see every day. Early experiences with people who have a range of backgrounds, interests and abilities give children a powerful advantage in understanding their world, being open to diverse perspectives and developing respect for themselves and others.

Nurture the individualThe unique features of non-school settings often allow children to discover and fine-tune skills and abilities (physical, spatial, creative, musical, mechanical) that may not be visible or nurtured in a typical classroom setting. Consider doing things together or visiting places where your children may develop new interests or skills. What will make them “bloom”? Something as simple as listening to music together can initiate a lifelong passion.

Make connectionsChildren learn most when they make connections between prior learning and new experiences. Linking, connecting and reflecting are your children’s best ways to make sense of their world and build a more intricate network of knowledge and experience. If you know your child is studying insects in school, spend time during the weekend observing bugs right outside your home.

Finally, you don’t need extra resources, big ideas or a schedule of events to provide your child with meaningful out-of-school experiences. Uninterrupted time sharing an activity at home—such as cooking, planting or fixing something—can lead to a wealth of experiential learning. Children are great at finding opportunities to ask questions, explore and learn. Simply follow their lead.

OUT-Of-SCHOOl ExPERIENCES PROVIDE gREAT OPPORTUNITIES fOR CHIlDREN TO gROW AND lEARN IN NEW WAYS. Photo.by.Chicago.Children’s.Museum.


Application processChildren take the CPS Selective Enrollment Elementary Schools (SEES) exams one year prior to entering kindergarten, between October and January. Parents must elect to take such exams by mid-December (last year’s cut-off date was December 15). Details and deadlines are available at bit.ly/PBOdzd.

Selective Enrollment Elementary SelectionSelective Enrollment Elementary Selection is based on test scores and socioeconomic tiers. According to its website (bit.ly/GMtYOB), CPS considers “five socioeconomic characteristics for each census tract: (1) median family income, (2) percentage of single-family homes, (3) percentage of homes where English is not the first language, (4) percentage of homes occupied by the homeowner, and (5) level of adult education attainment. We also look at a sixth characteristic, the achievement scores from attendance area schools in each census tract. Based on the results of each of these six areas, each census tract is given a specific score; these scores are ranked and divided into four groups—or ‘tiers’ —each consisting of approximately the same number of school-age children. This is how we establish the four tiers. Consequently, every Chicago address falls into one of the four tiers.

“For Selective Enrollment Elementary and High Schools, the first 30% of available seats at each school are filled strictly according to the student scores—also referred to as the ‘rank’ score—the seats are filled by the top-scoring students. The remaining seats are equally distributed among the four tiers and are filled by the highest-scoring students in each tier. “

To locate your appropriate tier: bit.ly/wsdk21

Generally, this has meant that the higher your socioeconomic tier, the higher your child must score on the examinations to obtain a spot within SEES, as the remaining 70% of seats are distributed among the four tiers. At cpsobessed.com you can review results from prior years. Here’s a link to the most recent testing results: bit.ly/N5kNLt

Okay—who knows the truth? Maybe no one, but you have a margin of opportunity to be selected by a CPS gifted program—a hope, want and even a need of many Chicago parents. When everyone refers to your child as “the smart one,” you think, “Yeah, maybe, but will he have the right answers to the mysterious questions on the classical and regional CPS exams?”

IS YOUR CHIlD gIfTED? HOW DO YOU NAVIgATE THE CPS SYSTEM TO fIND OUT?By Marietta Coles, NPN member since 2007

IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU fIND THE RIgHT fIT AND CONSIDER All THE fACTORS, bUT SOMETIMES IT’S jUST THE lUCk Of THE DRAW, ESPECIAllY WHEN CPS IS INVOlVED.

Photo.courtesy.of.Rick.Aguilar.Studios.


Marietta Coles was formerly NPN’s Working Moms co-chair. She lives in Roscoe

Village with her husband John and six-year-old son Evan. Feel free to contact her

with questions or comments: [email protected]

Personal experienceWe were so excited when we opened our son’s testing results: his score was above 130, placing him in the 95% rating for RGC (regional gifted centers), and mid- and upper 90% in the classical testing for math and reading. As I continued reading, though, I saw that he was not accepted into a CPS SEES. He did a fantastic job, I know he’s bright, and we love our neighborhood school, so all was fine. I was relieved the whole process was over—but then I discovered:

“If my child is not selected, is it possible for her to be selected later?”

“Yes. After the seats at each school are filled, the non-selected students will remain in an applicant pool. This is not a traditional waiting list, where students are assigned numbers – students are ranked by score in the applicant pool. If your child declines an offer or does not receive an offer, he will remain in the applicant pool and has a chance to receive an offer in a later selection round.“ (Further details: bit.ly/Qj1KQP)

My son started at the neighborhood school as planned; then we got a last-minute call from the Office of Access and Enrollment (OAE) exactly one week and three days into the school year. We already bought his supplies, supported the full-day kindergarten program and set our minds on having him attend our neighborhood school for the next eight years. Was this really happening? How were we to make a huge decision like this overnight (OAE requested a reply in 24 hours)?

I got on the phone, NPN’s website and Facebook and found five parents to talk to, and we were in the school the next morning taking a tour. I spoke to our neighborhood principal about my concerns with differential learning, and I also spoke directly to the assistant principal at the classical gifted school about their program. As we took the tour, I was thinking, “Please, please find something wrong,” because change is hard. Ultimately we made a choice based on our feelings about the school and word of mouth. Plus having our neighborhood school as a back-up was the most reassuring factor.

I don’t know if my child is gifted but he sure was lucky. I call him the “no show” replacement kid. It’s very important that you find the right fit and consider all the factors, but sometimes it’s just the luck of the draw, especially when CPS is in involved.

I wish all the incoming kindergartners the best of luck. But they have no idea how much homework is involved for their parents when it comes to learning their “CPS‘s.”

Helpful hint: There are many discussions on NPN’s website about the material that is tested on the exams. Here’s one example: npnparents.org/forum_threads/33572

AbC

Neighborhood Parents Network of Chicago 3020 N. Lincoln Ave.Chicago, IL [email protected]

UPCOMINg EVENTSVisit our Calendar for more great events all over Chicago!

SEPTEMBER

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OCTOBER

1310 a.m.–2 p.m.

dECEMBER

304:30–7:30 p.m.

Coming Oct. 28! Strollers in the Front: 5K Run and WalkChicago’s first and only family-focused, timed 5K with the strollers leading the race debuts this fall. Proceeds will benefit NPN! Sun, Oct. 28 at a fabulous Chicago lakefront location.Details for pre-party and race day events coming soon.

South Side Preschool and Elementary School Fair

Hyde Park Neighborhood Club 5480 S. Kenwood, Chicago

NPN and Hyde Park Parents Support Network jointly present this event to help South Side families tackle the school search process. Exhibitors include public and private schools, enrichment programs and organizations serving South Side neighborhoods. Visit npnparents.org/expos/706

Annual NPN Preschool and Elementary School Fair

Grossinger City Autoplex 1561 N. Fremont, Chicago

NPN members get unparalleled access to public and private schools, enrichment programs, businesses and nonprofits—more than 130 exhibitors! Turn to NPN to navigate school search in Chicago. Visit npnparents.org/expos/534

3rd Annual Pre-New Year’s Eve Family Celebration

Lil’ Kickers Bradley Place 2640-B W. Bradley, Chicago

Rock in the New Year one day early with NPN and all our member families. Great activities for even your littlest one to enjoy!

Non ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDChicago, IL

Permit No. 2536

Not a member yet? Join today at npnparents.org!Get Social with NPNparents

Visit npnparents.org for updates!

Special expanded issue! PARENT TO PARENT...4 • Parent to Parent, Fall 2012 gymboreeclasses.com...

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Transcript of Special expanded issue! PARENT TO PARENT...4 • Parent to Parent, Fall 2012 gymboreeclasses.com...