Is your child struggling with peer relationships, making and keeping friends, expressing emotions or self control? Social Skills Group Therapy is available at Mindspring Center in Pooler.

Call today to set up your assessment. Assessments for the January Social Skills Groups ends December 19^th. The January Social Skills Groups will begin the second week of January. For more information on what Social Skills Group Therapy is click here.

Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center, a wellness center at heart located in Pooler & serving greater Savannah, 1147 US Highway 80 West, Pooler, Ga 31322, (912) 376-1506, email: info@RanickiChiropractic.com , www.RanickiChiropractic.com Ranicki Chiropractic Wellness Center is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

SAVANNAH PARENTS! Registration is now open for a new 5 week session of Lego® classes! Lego® Minecraft starts on Thursday 11/21/2013.

Anything that you can dream of is possible in Minecraft ®. Travel to the Nether with Snapology, but watch out for those creepers! Come join this class as they bring Minecraft® to life using Lego® bricks to build Minecraft® characters, animals, worlds and much more!

This 5 week session of classes will meet each Thursday 4:30-5:30pm 11/21, 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 1/9 at the Lake Mayer Community Center (please note this class will not meet during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays). $75 per student. Register online at http://savannah.snapology.com/Calendar.html

Have Snapology bring the party to you! Snapology’s dedicated party facilitator will bring the Lego® party to you.

More Snapology birthday info here.

Stay connected to Snapology of Savannah by liking them on Facebook here.

Snapology of Savannah, Richmond Hill, “Where Learning is a Snap” 770-883-3024, email Savannah@Snapology.com , http://www.snapology.com/savannahhome.php, Snapology is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Schedule your child’s FREE placement test at Kumon Math & Reading Center of Savannah: (912) 920-8899

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Savannah, www.kumon.com/savannah , open on Mondays and Thursdays from 3-7 PM,  in Piccadilly Square @ 10010   Abercorn Ave. Suite 5A, Savannah, 31406. For more info or to schedule a complimentary placement test, call owner and instructor, Janese Cooper at (912) 920-8899. Kumon of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Did your kids get to see one of the energetic & educational Roger Day concerts in Savannah last week?

If so, chances are they are still singing about Mosquito Burritos & Vulture Vomit. We love Roger Day’s music and wanted to find out more about the man in the mud. Check out our Q&A with the popular children’s musician  by clicking here.

Roger Day’s Savannah Music Festival co-commissioned DVD & CD Marsh Mud Madness is an amazing a learning tool for local schoolchildren. This project involves fun and interactive songs about the ecology of the Georgia coast. During this residency, Roger Day’s performances are provided free of charge to school systems in Effingham and Jasper counties, and for Chatham county students in four performances at the Trustees Theater, reaching approximately 7,000 students. Marsh Mud Madness is also the subject of new DVD, produced by SMF and available in the “shop” section at www.savannahmusicfestival.org . SMF’s Music for Our Schools program is sponsored by Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.

Roger Day’s Marsh Mud Madness is now available on CD, too. This audio edition of Marsh Mud Madness is available via Bigkids.com, CDBaby.com and Rogerday.com for $15 CD, $9 digital.

The 14 tracks include songs from Day’s live concerts at the 2011 Savannah Music Festival, plus two newly crafted studio versions of “Vulture Vomit” and “Turtle Girl.” Marsh Mud Madness was created after Day spent five days exploring nearby Sapelo Island & learning about the island’s fragile ecosystem from scientists at the University of Georgia Marine Institute. Day also created a Marsh Mud Madness curriculum available now for free for any teacher or parent at http://georgiaseagrant.uga.edu/article/RogerDay/

Come find out all that St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island has to offer your child.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

OPEN HOUSE for Prospective Families

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

St. Andrew’s School

Pre-K 3 through Grade 12

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

It’s official!

St. Andrew’s School – Savannah, GA received the Apple Distinguished Award this month for the 2012-13 school year.

Approximately 42 private schools in the nation were given this designation based on innovation, leadership and educational excellence.

Congrats to the entire St. Andrew’s community!

St. Andrew’s, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school, is located on Wilmington Island. For more information on the Savannah private International Baccalaureate World School visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Public Archeology Walking Tours offered by Digging Savannah this Fall include:

This sounds like something not to be missed for those of us with beginning readers: a free presentation on “What every early childhood parent should know about how to encourage early literacy”.

When: Fri. Nov. 1, 9:15 AM Coffee with Meet and Greet; 10 AM Presentation.

Where: St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah (Wilmington Island) 31410

About the presenter:

Tricia Yates is a prekindergarten teacher and literacy leaders at St. Andrew’s School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and early childhood education, a master’s degree in reading and has 18 years of experience as a Title 1 Reading Coordinator working with early childhood through 12th grade students.

This informative session will focus on an overview of literacy development in early childhood, including resources and strategies to give your child the building blocks to develop strong reading skills and a love for literacy.

RSVP to Christine Sapp, email sappc@saintschool.com or call 912.897.4941 ext 400.

St. Andrew’s, a Pre-K through Grade 12 independent school, is located on Wilmington Island. For more information on the Savannah private International Baccalaureate World School visit www.saintschool.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

1 in 88 children in America have an autism diagnosis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Are you the parent, aunt, sibling, uncle or teacher of a child with autism?

If so, please make plans to attend a one-night screening of The United States of Autism movie in Savannah, Wednesday, Nov. 13 7-8:30 PM in Savannah at Carmike 10 – Savannah. Cost. $11 General

Reserve Your Tickets here. 59 more people are needed to make reservations before Nov. 6 in order for this event to happen.

About “The United States of Autism”

Follow one man’s 11,000 mile, 40 day journey across the American landscape to visit twenty families and individuals affected by autism while searching for answers for his own son. With interviews from around the nation that include the widest spectrum of backgrounds – each conducted in the participants’ original language – the film weaves a broad and compelling tapestry across the spectrum of American life in all its faiths, disparities, colors, and cultures. What he learns along the way will change not only his life, but the lives of those he meets, forever. It’s a story about the best days that still lie ahead for our nation, the families, and the people who give America its heart.

More info here.

Dr. Kelley Waldron, Lower School Head

St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island has many features that we love. One that really makes us swoon here at SouthernMamas.com is how cleverly the school incorporates technology into the classroom. Which is why it wasn’t surprising last school year when St. Andrew’s was named Apple Distinguished School for the 2012-13 academic year for its use of the iPad and Apple technology as tools to create a relevant and engaging school experience for its students.

The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that excel in areas of innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and demonstrate Apple’s shared vision of exemplary learning environments.

St. Andrew’s has implemented iPad usage for all of its students, pre-K through 12th-grade.

As Dr. Kelley Waldron, Lower School Head, said:
“The iPad is never a replacement for best practices or seen as the curriculum- it is a tool in the classroom. The value of this tool is that it allows teachers to differentiate instruction by offering extra challenge to a student ready to move on, or reinforcement of a skill or concept for a student who needs the extra time to understand and master it. The best apps engage students in variety of learning modalities- asking them to solve problems, kinesthetically move letters or numbers, engage creatively with the content, and work in a self-paced fashion.”

So we asked St. Andrew’s teachers to share some of the top apps they love. Here are their picks:

BB Magic Apps – Teach basic phonics, right to left reading and spelling, blending and sight words

Endless Alphabet App– Educational and entertaining at the same time

Tally Tots App – A counting app that offers 20 different activities

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century teaching and learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade Twelve school, visit www.saintschool.com  or call 912.897.4941.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Looking for a Savannah preschool for next fall that has a proven history as a well-established, quality preschool? Check out First Christian Church Preschool, which was formed in 1952 by Carolyn S. Jordan and has been in continuous operation since that date.

The preschool – located on Victory Drive in the Savannah’s Ardsley Park –  now serves 15 mths to 4-year-old children and is in session from 9AM to noon Monday through Friday. First Christian Church members receive a 25% discount on tuition.

First Christian Preschool provides an environment that is warm and welcoming so that your child will feel safe and comfortable. Classrooms are bright and inviting so your child will be excited about learning and will be prepared for kindergarten. Most of all, your child will have a lot of fun and be involved in meaningful play. Play is a child’s “work” and it is through play that a child learns to be social, to solve problems, to be independent and to be creative.

The preschool employs the Unit Approach Curriculum. It is designed to meet appropriate skill levels for each age group.

The school offers a Spanish program called !Hola! as part of the curriculum for the 3 and 4-year-olds . Music is incorporated into daily activities in the classrooms

Children participate in two school-wide programs, one at Christmas and an end-of-the-year program. Newsletters, a fund raiser, carpool and lunch bunch, and early birds are other activities that are a part of the preschool program.

Some of the activities all of students participate in are:
Fall Festival
School Wide Pajama Party
Dessert with Daddy
Mother’s Day Tea
Graduation Program
Friday Morning Music

The preschool includes Christian principles in its program, teaching the children the Christian values of loving, sharing, being kind to one another

Visitors are welcome. First Christian Preschool staff  look forward to meeting you and your children.

For more information, please call Mrs. Sarah Marquez at 912-234-3149 or email firstchristianpreschool@yahoo.com

First Christian Preschool, 711 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, 31405, 912 234-3149,   https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Christian-Preschool/153225621412477?fref=ts First Christian Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

St. Andrew’s School 7th and 8th grade students headed back to the beach recently but just to get their feet wet. The students were getting a hands-on lesson identifying sea life and learning about the coastal environment. After a morning of research and preparation, these 78 students made the short trip to Tybee to work with counselors from the Burton 4-H Center.

“Our students were surf detectives today on Tybee Island, exploring their own coastal back yard,” said Jesse Lazzuri, Head of the Middle School. “We are fortunate to be so close to the coast so it makes sense to take advantage of this unique opportunity.”

The experience offered the Middle School students a distinctive approach to learning about sea life and the environment. They were able to kick-off their shoes and pull a seine net through the waves. After each tow, the students observed, identified and discussed their catch that included ghost crabs, blue crabs, shrimp, bumper fish and more. The recent field trip illustrates the school’s commitment to experiential learning and the application of concepts.

“We had a great time on the beach today,” said Jacob Boyd, 8th grader. “This was a cool way to learn about the different creatures that are swimming around our feet.”

St. Andrew’s is an independent International Baccalaureate World School committed to being a leader in 21st Century teaching and learning, which includes a curricular focus on creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and character. For more information on the Pre-K 3 through Grade Twelve school, visit www.saintschool.com or call 897.4941.

Visit www.saintschool.com  for more information.

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Road, Savannah, 31410, www.saintschool.com St. Andrew’s School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Step into the shoes of a soldier this Labor Day Weekend at Old Fort Jackson in Savannah. Through special programming, learn how Civil War soldiers lived their lives! Meet Old Fort Jackson’s great interpreters and be sure to stay for the cannon firings!

WHERE: Old Fort Jackson

WHEN: Labor Day Weekend: Aug. 31 & Sept. 1 & 2, 2013

SITE HOURS
Old Fort Jackson
1 Fort Jackson Rd.
Savannah, GA 31404
P: 912.232.3945
F: 912.236.5126
Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Old Fort Jackson, (912) 232-3945, 1 Fort Jackson Rd., Savannah, 31404, http://www.chsgeorgia.org/Old-Fort-Jackson.html

Sunday: 11am-4pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm
Special OPEN Holiday Hours on Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd from 10am-4pm!

FOR MORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES, VISIT OUR EVENTS CALENDAR HERE.

Savannah Children’s Museum is at 655 Louisville Rd., Savannah, 31401

Interested in learning more about Montessori education for your children?

You’re invited to the lecture “Introduction to Montessori” by internationally-known Montessorian Sanford Jones on Tuesday, September 17th. The lecture will be 6-7:30 PM at the Southwest Chatham Library, by the Savannah Mall.

The Montessori Education Society of Savannah (MESS) is sponsoring the lecture.

The topic of the lecture is: “Introduction to Montessori: Understand the Hype and How You Can Apply it at Home.”

All are invited, especially parents, educators and education students. The lecture is free and open to the public. Adults only please though, childcare will not be provided.

Sanford Jones is known internationally as a Montessori educator, lecturer, and composer. He has made significant contributions to the Montessori movement, including the founding and directing of four schools on the East Coast. He was the founding president of the North American Montessori Teachers Internationale-USA. He currently runs Youth Opera International.

More information on The Montessori Education Society of Savannah (MESS) here.

Looking for a preschool near Wilmington Island? Come to the Open House @ Whitemarsh Day School – which offers a hands on approach to early learning – on August 29th from 5-6pm.

If you are interested in joining the school family at Whitemarsh Day School, the preschool is enrolling new students now. The school has a few openings for their new half day preschool in the fall.  Their school year starts Tuesday, September 3 2013.

For more information on Whitemarsh Day School, check out their home page by clicking here or send an email.

Whitemarsh Day School is a preschool for ages 2-5 during the school year and 2-6 during Summer Camps. The new Whitemarsh preschool is located at 104 Penrose Dr. Savannah GA 31410

For information regarding the school please contact Miranda Maher at 912-659-8185

About Whitemarsh Day School
Whitemarsh Day School fosters a child’s sense of curiosity and imagination and provides a stimulating, safe, and fun environment for all our children. You’ll feel confident your child is being taken care of when you can’t be with him or her. Here are some of the fun activities and educational lessons your child will enjoy at our school:
Story time and sing-a-longs
Activities that teach through play and exploring the world around us
center choice time both inside and outdoors
Nutritious snacks
Letter recognition and writing
Circle time for sharing
Independent playtime
Pre-reading and beginning math
Work on large and small motor skill development
One-on-one time with teacher on a daily basis for progress assessment

Whitemarsh Day School, 104 Penrose Dr., Savannah, 31410, tel: 912-659-8185, http://whitemarshdayschool.weebly.com/index.html. Whitemarsh Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The popular Savannah preschool Maggie’s Morning School will have an Open House Friday, August 16, from 4-6 pm. Come & find out what makes Maggie’s “The Creative Alternative” for Pre-school.

Maggie’s Morning School is a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405.

Mission Maggie’s Morning School provides a developmentally appropriate, quality learning experience for a diverse student body in a safe, creative, and nurturing environment. The focus is on the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each and every child through hands on activities and support by working together with families, well-trained teachers, and community resources.

Description Maggie’s Morning School has been serving Savannah since 1982. The school has 2, 3, and 5 half day and full day programs for children 18 months (by Sept. 1) through age four, and the Bright From the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Pre-Kindergarten program. Maggie’s provides an exceptional and unique learning environment in order to facilitate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development in each child.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K. Maggie’s Morning School in Savannah offers part-time preschool for 4-year-olds.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

For many kids dealing with dyslexia, back-to-school means back to struggling to master the skills of reading and writing.

With the right help, dyslexia and related reading problems can be overcome. Take the first step to cracking the code and learning about the skills that can be life changing by visiting the Dyslexia Tutoring in Savannah Web site.

Dyslexia is the most under-diagnosed learning disability and is at the root of many academic difficulties.

Reading tutor Casey Welsh offers the one-on-one Orton-Gillingham Approach reading tutoring to students. Casey is an Orton-Gillingham trained tutor. Learn more by clicking here.

Dyslexia Tutoring in Savannah, contact Casey Welsh, info@dyslexiasavannah.com , 912.507.1868, http://www.dyslexiasavannah.com/ , Dyslexia Tutoring in Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

When you take kids to tour national parks, you never know how much they are getting out of the visit. Especially for those of us moms who aren’t exactly history experts.

Which is why you need to pick up the Junior Ranger booklets at the visitor centers of national parks you visit. The Junior Ranger program kids engage more during the visits.

Junior Ranger booklets have activities about the national parks for ages 5-12. Junior ranger books are free to any visitor and usually are available at the visitors’ centers. Often, similar programs with more advanced activities are also available for older kids. Just ask at the site’s visitor center.

While doing the activities, children enjoy earning a badge and a certificate.

Nearby national parks/monuments that have Junior Ranger programs include:
*Fort Pulaski National Monument, on U.S. 80 en route to Tybee Island. Info on the Fort Pulaski Junior Program here.
*Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.
*Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.
*Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. Info on the Fort Frederica National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.
*Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon. Info on Ocmulgee’s National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.

Call (912) 352-8404 or (912) 352-8065 for more info or click here. Tell them SouthernMamas.com sent you!

Stay connected by “liking” Maggie’s Morning School on Facebook here.

Maggie’s Morning School, 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405, www.maggiesmorningschool.org,  On Facebook here. (912) 352-8404, (912) 352-8065 Maggie’s Morning School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan is giving away over $50,000 for college savings, schools, libraries,

In an effort to put more Georgia families on the path to college, help children across the state strengthen their educational foundation and ensure families are thinking about the financial foundation that is needed for continued education, the Path2College 529 Plan® is currently running two sweepstakes with prize money exceeding $50,000.

The deadline for both sweepstakes is August 15, 2013.

Path2College has set a goal of adding at least 10,000 new accounts this year in hopes of giving 10,000 more children a head start toward achieving their dream when they graduate from high school.

10,000 Reasons to Save Sweepstakes:

The 10,000 Reasons to Save sweepstakes will award one family who is already saving with Path2College and one non-account holder with $10,529 each for his or her college savings. Additionally, the two winners’ schools will each receive $10,529.

Summer Reading Program Sweepstakes:

For the fourth consecutive year, the Georgia Public Library Service and the state’s Path2College 529 Plan are once again partnering on the Summer Reading Program and its Summer Reading Program Sweepstakes, which will award a child with a $5,529 college savings contribution.

The Summer Reading Program sweepstakes, Reading Makes Cent$, is available to children across the state who were born in 1997 or after and who participate in the Summer Reading Program at their local library.

In addition to the $5,529 that will be awarded to the winning participant, the library of the sweepstakes winner will receive $1,529. Also, the library with the greatest number of sweepstakes entries and the library system with the greatest percentage of registered users entering will each win $1,529.

How to Enter:

To read the official rules and to enter the 10,000 Reasons to Save sweepstakes or the Summer Reading Program sweepstakes, visit www.Path2College529.com . Entries must be received online by August 15, 2013. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.

Are you tired of running all around Savannah to get everything on your school supply list? Barnett’s Educational Supplies in Savannah has a solution for you: Barnett’s Big Bag Program. The way it works is:
1. Bring in or email the school supply list; then prepay for your custom school supply kit
2. Pick up your custom kit anytime during the week of August 4-10

It’s that simple!

To place an order either call Katie at 912-356-1878 or email at barneduc@bellsouth.net

Please like Barnett on Facebook here to stay updated on their sales & products.

Store hours: Mon – Fri: 9 AM-7 PM; Sat: 10 AM-5 PM; Sun: 1- 5 PM.

Barnett Educational Supplies, 38 W De Renne Ave., Savannah, 31405-6742, tel: 912-356-1878, email barneduc@bellsouth.net www.barnetteducationalsupplies.com , Barnett Educational Supplies is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Sea turtles fascinate kids. Fortunately, we have several sea turtle walks or talks offered by various nearby museums/marine science centers including:

Evening Turtle Talks and Walks by Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Is.
Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 2013.
Location given out at time of reservation
An evening lecture and beach walk to educate participants about the threatened loggerhead sea turtle. Presentation given to entire group, then 2 groups of 10 proceed to the beach to examine the nesting habitat and nest sites. No guarantee of turtle sightings. Please call 843-689-6767 ext 223 to make your reservation. Reservations are required. Cost is $20 adult, $15 child (no children under 4 years of age)

Morning Nest Walks by Georgia Sea Turtle Center, Jekyll Island
RESERVATIONS FOR 2013 NEST WALKS will begin in August 2013. Please call (912)-635-4444 after August 1st to reserve your spot!!
Offered during hatching season 7-9 AM Sundays, Wednesdays, Saturdays
$7 per person (Members); $14 per person (Non-Members**).
**Price does not include general admission to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center
More info here.

Confidence is the ultimate school supply.

Whether your child is at the head of the class or needs a little help, Kumon Math & Reading Center of Savannah provides the perfect foundation for the coming school year.

Children work independently on math and reading programs designed just for them, gaining confidence that carries beyond the classroom. That’s learning for the long run.

Schedule your child’s FREE placement test at Kumon Math & Reading Center of Savannah: (912) 920-8899

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Savannah, www.kumon.com/savannah , open on Mondays and Thursdays from 3-7 PM,  in Piccadilly Square @ 10010   Abercorn Ave. Suite 5A, Savannah, 31406. For more info or to schedule a complimentary placement test, call owner and instructor, Janese Cooper at (912) 920-8899. Kumon of Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.