urbanMamas Portland

 Come Celebrate Spring with Wild Lilac Preschool!

All are warmly invited to celebrate the arrival of the flowery season with games, food, maypole dancing, juggling, balloon animals, crafts, puppetry, live music by a fantastic kids band, and a special appearance by the May Queen herself and her royal court!

Please join us: Saturday May 9th 10:30am-12:30pm at our Daffodil House location: 1540 SE 32nd Ave, Portland OR 97214.

Best for children between 2 and 6 years old

Warmly,
Wild Lilac Teachers and Children

Still looking for a preschool for the fall??

St. Andrew Preschool invites you to our annual Open House:

When: Wednesday, May 13th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: St. Andrew Preschool, 12405 SW Butner Road, Beaverton, Oregon

Please bring your kids with you. Our classrooms will be open with activities for the kids and the teachers will be available to answer any questions you may have. We will also have cookies!!

Here are just a few of the reasons that St. Andrew Preschool stands out as a leader among preschools in the Beaverton area:

*Small Class Sizes...Low Child:Teacher Ratio
*Experienced and Dedicated Teachers
*Summer Home Visits for all New Children
*Age appropriate curriculum that allows children to learn through play and hands-on experience

Feel free to check us out on the web at www.standrewlutheran.com (click on the preschool link)

We hope to see you on May 13th!!

Blackbird Wine Shop
3519 NE 44th Ave @ Freemont
Wednesday, April 29, 7:15PM  

Featuring School Board Candidate Scott Bailey

Hosted by PPS Parents Craig Daniels and Jeff Strange

Please join us to hear Portland School Board candidate Scott Bailey address and field questions on improving opportunities for advanced learning in Portland's public schools.

Scott supports a policy that would enable K-8 students to demonstrate proficiency in individual subjects and, having done so, to study at the next grade-level in those subjects. For instance, 5th graders who are ready to study 6th grade math will be allowed to do so.

Such a policy would be a big step toward meeting the needs of rapid learners and would promote district-wide equity by strengthening neighborhood schools.

Please come engage Scott on this and other advanced learning topics, whether they be IB or AP courses, dual enrollment, early entry, TAG, ACCESS, online learning or other programs, approaches, or potential innovations you might imagine.

Hors d'oeuvres will be served. A wine tasting is optional for $5.

More information about Scott can be found at http://www.scottbaileyforportland.com/

The Ivy School - Portland's first tuition-free/public/charter Montessori school - will open this September with 60 students in two mixed-age classrooms serving grades one through three. Any child eligible for enrollment in Portland Public Schools may apply for admission to the Ivy School via an upcoming lottery. 

The Ivy School's goal is to enable children of diverse backgrounds to learn at their own pace by offering a developmentally appropriate and challenging academic environment that models grace and courtesy and fosters a peaceful community of lifelong learners. The curriculum is bi-lingual English/Spanish.
 
The Ivy School will be holding an informational event in the auditorium of the Matt Dishman Community Center on Sunday, May 3rd at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend and learn more about the school. Staff will be available after the presentation to discuss both Montessori methods and the Ivy School itself.
 
A second public meeting is scheduled for Sunday, May 17 at 6:30 at the Peninsula Park Community Center. Please RSVP for either event to tammy@theivyschool.com.

For more information, please visit the Ivy School web site at www.theivyschool.org or look for the Ivy School on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/The-Ivy-School/69167854389?ref=ts

Our oldest child is off to kindergarten in the fall.  Our area school has a Spanish immersion program and the deadline to sign up is approaching.  We're on the fence about whether or not we should sign him up for it.  We are concerned that he won't be as up to speed as non-immersion students when it comes to math, science, language arts, and reading.  Has anyone had experience good or bad with immersion programs?  Any advice you could offer? 

Dear Families and Community Members,
 
 I'm sure you've heard that Portland Public Schools has started the process of redesigning our high school system. It is a top priority for me to ensure we have high schools that inspire and challenge all students and give them what they need to prepare for college or work, and to be responsible, involved citizens.

After hearing from students, teachers, principals and the community over the past six months, PPS has developed a set of "Big Ideas" for improving our high school system.

In the coming weeks, we will be hosting two meetings for community members to explore and provide feedback on these Big Ideas and offer their own ideas for improving the system. The meetings are:
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30-9 p.m.
Franklin High School, 5404 S.E. Woodward St. (map)

Saturday, May 2, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Madison High School, 2735 N.E. 82nd Ave. (map)

You can learn more about the Big Ideas and submit feedback online at www.highschools.pps.k12.or.us. You can also watch the video (above) in which students and teachers comment on high schools and discuss what they need to accomplish.

Does anyone have experience with the International School?  I am thinking about enrolling my son in the mandarin immersion kindergarten.  Please let me know what worked and didn't work for your family and also where your children landed for middle school afterward.

A Waldorf Inspired Early Childhood Program, Now Enrolling for Fall 2009 and Summer Camps!

Welcome to a nurturing, safe, and beautifully rich Waldorf inspired program for young children nestled in NE Portland. Our cozy kinder-cottage, provides a home like environment where children’s imagination and sense of wonder can flourish.

Children at We Gather Together are gently guided though daily activities in an environment where play, exploration, and healthy movement lay the foundations for future academic learning.  

Community is very important at We Gather Together, to help enliven our connection with each other and nature we join together for family seasonal celebrations. 

Through a strong daily rhythm of structured and unstructured activities,  children are given endless opportunities to unfold their creative and imaginative capacities. Simple natural material toys and equipment are available to allow the child's imagination boundless opportunities to soar. 

Our Morning Together Will Include... 

• Circle time 
• Singing 
• Finger games 
• Baking 
• Watercolor painting 
• Crafts 
• Imaginative play
• Gardening 
• Story telling 
• Wholesome organic snacks 
• Seasonal puppet shows 
• Festival celebrations

Now Enrolling 

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings 9:00- 12:30

Children ages 3-5 years

Class size is limited to six children

Call today to reserve your space!

Dena Lieberman
(503) 789-9708
denaflower@mac.com

Harmony Montessori School offers a joyful learning environment and a holistic approach to early education based on the Montessori method.   Within the carefully prepared environments of our classrooms, we trust and encourage each child to grow and learn according to his or her unique timetable and interests. In the words of Dr. Montessori, our commitment is always to "follow the child."

Discovery

Preschool and kindergarten children possess absorbent minds and unmatched sensitivities that enable them to learn more easily and efficiently than at any other time of life. Our school offers an environment rich in choices, experiences, and opportunities for self-discovery. Carefully selected materials invite children to exercise their senses, develop large and small motor skills, deepen their concentration, and explore math, written language, geography, and science, as well as music and the creative arts.

Daily Schedule

Our daily morning program in each class consists of a balance of individual work time, which is the heart of Montessori education; group time for stories, music, sharing, and brief lessons; and outside play.

Our core schedule is a three-hour class from 9:00 am to noon. We also offer a popular four-hour option for children which includes the lunch hour; they bring a lunch from home, and enjoy the experience of eating together and additional playing with their friends. 

The afternoon “Extended-Day” schedule provides a balance of the full, mixed-age class in the mornings, and a second work period with a smaller group of older peers in the afternoons from 1:00 to 3:00.   The kindergartners (age 5 by September 1) all enroll for this longer day, and they have special, occasional field trips out into nature or special outings in the city.

Harmony is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and we provide a high-quality all-day Montessori program for all the children in our care.  Our commitment is to live by Montessori principles all day without "before- or after-care" of lesser quality.

Location and Facilities

Our classrooms are located in the education wing of a church, at the corner of SE 139th and Mill in east Portland, within a few miles of I 205.  We have three unique classrooms.  A spacious fellowship hall is available for winter play in inclement weather. Outdoors we have a unique Children's Garden, created and maintained by parents and children, as well as a huge, fenced, equipped playground.

Enrollment

If interested in learning more about our school, please make an appointment to visit. Montessori schools all share a common philosophy and materials, but each school is unique. First-hand observation is invaluable in making a decision about the right school for your child.  Please see the enclosed insert for enrollment and tuition details.

Our website offers more information about Harmony.

www.harmony-montessori.com

I'm considering enrolling my son in Faubion's Pre-K. Faubion is our neighborhood school. I really like what I know about Teacher Heather, and I feel like the program might be a good fit for what my son is ready for, at least cognitively. My concerns are things like, will they nurture his emotions (he's a sensitive, sweet little child afterall-like all other children) and does he have the stamina to endure a full day (which of course depends on the child but how did your child do?)

So here's the quandy I have, and I hope to hear from people who's kids have attended the Pre-K. It's a full day, right, and I'm a SAHM, so letting go of my son all day 5 days a week is a tender spot for me, and at this point it's a choice not a necessity. He's been in pre-school 2 years already, and I want this next year to be interesting and stimulating, not redundant.  His birthday is early in September, so he'll be 5 basicly the whole year (thus the 3 years of preschool). What can you share with me about how the teachers  help the children adjust to this new environment, new schedule, new time away from home, new group of big kids. And tell me about lunchtime in the cafeteria and naptime in the classroom instead of with mommy. It's me who needs reassuring, not him at this point!

Art for Sale for Fun for Schools
Rieke Elementary is having it's Annual Sprint Art Fair Sunday May 3 from 10am-4pm next to the Hillsdale Farmers Market. 1405 SW Vermont. Go to www.riekearts.blogspot.com to see all the artists.

There will over 40 local artists, music, face painting, delicious local food, trees and plants for sale, art classes for kids, sidewalk painting, and photo sessions by solrose.com and more. Fun for the whole family. Bid to win a stunning piece of art from John Dempcy. Proceeds go to Rieke to support programs like art in schools. Tell your friends! We hope to see you there.

Milwaukie Cooperative Preschool is a special opportunity for you to spend quality, focused time with your child in their favorite environment.  Your time in the classroom is a window into your child's world of play and learning.  Enjoy your parent help days.  They mean more to your child than you know!

Milwaukie Preschool operates under the direction of a professional preschool teacher with 19 years of teaching experience.  The preschool occupies three classrooms in the Presbyterian Church located on Lake Road in Milwaukie.  Our preschool is not academically structured.  Student creativity, social skills and problem solving abilities are promoted through abundant learning experiences including:  art projects, outdoor play, story time and field trips.  The preschool is structured so that each child makes his/her own choice from a wide array of educational offerings. 

Classes offered are for children 3 years of age and 4 to 5 years of age.  The Junior class (3 years olds) is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 am to 11:30 am.  The Senior class (4 to 5 year olds) is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:15 am to 11:45 am.  All children must be of age on or before September 1st of the current school year and must be fully potty trained, as we do not have a changing station. 

A typical preschool day would be as follows (this varies between the Junior and Senior class):

   First hour- free play:  choose between fine motor skills area (puzzles, bean table, etc), crafts area (teacher project, painting and play dough, etc. ) and large motor skills area (indoor play structure, large blocks, kitchen and dress up, etc).  

    Next half hour- clean up and story time, calendar, color/shapes of the month.                                     

    Next half hour- wash up and snack time

    Last half hour- outside playtime and then sharing or library book check out

Throughout the school year the children will go on field trips to such places as the pumpkin patch, a tree farm, the library, the post office and other fun places.

If you are interested in having a tour or for more information please call us at 503-653-1408 or visit our website at www.milwaukiepreschool.com  or email us at themilwaukiepreschool@yahoo.com

Milwaukie Cooperative Preschool

2416 SE Lake Road Milwaukie, OR 97222

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Victory Academy opens its doors in September 2009 and serves children with Autism Spectrum and related disorders (Asperger's Syndrome, Developmental Motor Dyspraxia, Apraxia of Speech, and Sensory Integration Disorder).  Victory Academy is located within The Children's Hour Academy in Lake Oswego, Oregon and offers an occupational therapy suite, art studio, modern computer lab, "green" outdoor playground, library, full-sized gymnasium, secure campus, and dining hall.  It is the first Oregon elementary school of its kind, carefully designed for this amazing group of children.

Does anyone have any experiences at PJA as a non Jewish family?  Did you and your children feel part of the community? 

Portland Jewish Academy
6651 SW Capitol Highway
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: 503.244.0126

Swallowtail School would like to invite you to meet our teachers and tour our beautiful classrooms at the upcoming Open House on April 16th, 5pm - 7pm. You will also have an opportunity to talk to parents of our students and view student work. The school is located in the heart of Hillsboro at 332 NE 6th Ave, at Edison St.

Swallowtail School is Washington County's only Waldorf school, offering education from pre-school through eighth grade. Through an artistic and experiential approach to education, Swallowtail School students receive a dynamic education that covers not only the standards of language arts, history, math and science, but also includes studies of fine arts, music, Spanish language and cultures, handwork, movement, woodworking, and environmental education. Our students have the opportunity to experience the out-of-doors as a classroom whenever feasible. stewardship and community service are also an integral part of students' learning.

For more info about the school please visit www.swallowtailschool.org.

I'm looking for thoughts on Tucker-Maxon Oral School. I know it's a private school near SE 28th and Holgate. Many of the children there are hearing impaired with cochlear implants. I'm considering applying to send my normal hearing children there. I'm specifically wondering about experience with what the teachers are like and what kind of philosophies they use in the classroom. It seems to be a wonderful (and affordable) private option. Any TMOS parents out there want to tell us why we should consider it? Anybody want to share why they didn't send their kids there? Thanks.

Are there any families out there that are part of the PFS community, I would love to hear your thoughts on the school?

Portland French School
6318 SW Corbett Ave
Portland, OR 97239
(503) 452-4160

We are moving to Portland from San Francisco and are considering living in the area for Markham Elementary.  I have a son starting Kindergarten in the fall.  Does anyone have any experience with the school or the SUN after school program? 

I am a certified teacher turned SAHM.  I have two girls, almost two and almost four. My love of teaching and desire to do things that include my own children has led me to start Wee Fun camps and play groups.

Last months Spring Break camp was a blast.  We had so much fun that we have decide to have one every month in addition to our weekly "play, laugh and learn" mini sessions.

Every mom and dad needs a break or a chance to just clean, run errands, work... need I say more.  If you have not joined us for a mini sessions or camp now is your chance to let your kids and yourself have a break and see what Wee Fun is all about.
 

Join Miya Kai and Elsa for one or more fun-filled mornings.  Your children will enjoy circle time, singing and dancing, hands-on science experiments, real world math, reading and creative writing, messy art, cooking, nature exploration, gardening, creative play, games and more.  No parent participation required!

What:  Wee Fun Camp
Where:  Miya Kai's house:  20320 SW Celebrity Ct.  Aloha OR 97007
When:  Monday, April 20th - Thursday April 23rd *
Who:  Children ages 3-10 years (call for children under 3)
Camp time: 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Cost:  $12 per session.
          Sibling Discount
          Discount given to campers who attend all camp sessions.


All campers need to bring a sack lunch*,  morning snack will be provided.

*Thursday April 23th - space limited - this session is our weekly session.

For more information regarding this camp or our regular weekly sessions respond to this e-mail or call Dori Hoodenpyle at 503-941-5298.

Lets play, laugh, and learn together,


Dori, Miya Kai, and Elsa

Wee Fun
dorimichaud@hotmail.com
503 941 5298
503 536 5044