Free mindful self-compassion workshops are being offered to the public in Savannah starting this month.

The first free workshop will be Wed., Feb. 26, 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS. Find registration information and the schedule of all the free mindful self-compassion workshops offered through Oct. 28 here.

These trainings help participants learn fundamental concepts and skills in mindfulness and self-compassion. Workshops are a program of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion and organized by Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc.

Open to all residents including educators, law enforcement, medical and behavioral health providers, caregivers, students and community members.

Learn more about the benefits of the workshops – especially to educators – in our newspaper column here.

Thanks to funding from Chatham County, the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services and Pitulloch Foundation, and in partnership with Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition and Gateway Community Service Board, organizers are able to bring this resource to our residents and schools at no cost to them

Register online here.

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS
Wednesday, April 29, 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS
Wednesday, June 24, 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS
Wednesday, Aug. 26 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS
Wednesday, Oct. 28 9AM-4PM at Chatham County DFCS

Savannah Children’s Museum to host Dr. Seuss Themed Event

On Sat., Feb. 29 2020, families are invited to celebrate the fun and whimsical world of Dr. Seuss during “Seuss Fest” 10AM-3PM @ Savannah Children’s Museum, 655 Louisville Rd. Savannah, GA 31401.

Dress as your favorite Dr. Seuss character in honor of the children’s book author, who would be celebrating his 116th birthday on March 2.

Museum educators will lead the group with Seuss stories, games and activities. Highlights include: Seuss Science Station, a Read-A-Thon and a Seusstastic Selfie Station, complete with costumes and props.

Community partners will provide Seuss-filled fun throughout the day. The Dwaine and Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah will lead a Green Eggs and Ham Relay as well as a “make your own water bottle” activity, Live Oak Public Library will lead literacy and reading themed activities, and Savannah Children’s Theatre will share Seuss-themed performances at 10:30 and noon.

Admission to “Seuss Fest” is included in the cost of regular admission to Savannah Children’s Museum,: $8 for all guests 18 months and older. This event is free for Coastal Heritage Society members. Learn about becoming a member here.

Seuss Fest 2020
Sat. Feb. 29, 2020
10AM-4PM
Savannah Children’s Museum
655 Louisville Rd.
Savannah, Georgia 31401

Coastal Heritage Society is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

See the Monster Watercolor Illustration Workshop

Savannah Cultural Arts Center offers a slew of free or affordable kid-friendly classes & workshops during February 2020.

Savannah Cultural Arts Center
201 Montgomery St.
Savannah, GA 31401

February 2020 Kid-Friendly Events & Classes @ the Savannah Cultural Arts Center

Below is a list of upcoming events, classes, and workshops at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center this winter.

Those interested in registering for these classes and workshops can find more information and the registration . To view the latest updates to our events and programming, be sure to visit our website at www.savannahga.gov/arts or call 912-651-6783.

Yoga
10:30-11:30AM, Saturdays, Feb. 1-29,
All ages
$5 per person per session
Stretch and exhale your way to mindfulness in this relaxing yoga class for all skill levels. Please bring your own mat.
Register online here. 

_____________________________

Felt Painting Workshop
9:30AM-1PM, Feb. 15
Ages 13+
$35 per person
Learn how to turn felt into a wonderful painting.
Register online here. 

______________________________

Beginner Level Mosaic
5:30-8PM, Wednesdays, Feb. 26 – March 25
Ages 13+
$60 per person
Create your own mosaic using vitreous glass while learning basic techniques in design, tool use, and settings.
Register online here. 

________________________________

See the Monster Watercolor Illustration
6-8PM, Feb. 28
Ages 7+
$10 per person
See your watercolor blobs come to life as funny monster illustrations.
Register online here. 

_________________________________

Belly Dancing Workshop
12:30-1:30PM, Feb. 29
All ages
FREE
Register online here. 

____________________________________________

City of Savannah Cultural Resources Department is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Come to the Fairy & Gnome Festival 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center in Savannah for a day of enchantment, Sat. April 25, 2020, 10AM-2PM

This family-themed festival is all about the “wee folk” getting up close with the natural world and encouraging imaginative play. Dress in costume and flaunt your wings in our fashion show; mine for magic gems; frolic in the enchanted forest for a fairy surprise; construct a fairy village; enjoy games and crafts inspired by the natural world.

Bring the whole family and stroll through Oatland’s magical trails and maybe you will catch a glimpse of a fairy or gnome looking for a place to call home. Additional fees may apply. All proceeds go to feeding our magical animal kingdom.

Cost: regular admission to Oatland Island Wildlife Center as well as some extra fundraising activities during the event. Find admission costs here.

Fairy & Gnome Festival 2020
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandown Rd.
Savannah, 31410
(912) 395-1500

FREE Georgia Day Parade 2020, Savannah

Educators & students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Georgia Day Parade on Fri. Feb. 21, 2020.

As part of the annual commemoration of the founding of the Georgia colony by James Edward Oglethorpe, a tradition dating back to the earliest years of the colony’s founding, students, local dignitaries, musicians, & costumed performers will march through Savannah’s historic squares.

Details here. 

_____________________________

FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH AREA KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Savannah Area Language & Culture Exchange is having a play date and you’re invited!

Savannah Area Language & Culture Exchange  will open their doors and their toy chests for everyone to come and enjoy totally FREE with instructors present to help facilitate kids playing together in Spanish.

Studies show that children who attain and/or maintain bilingual skills are those with peers who value and use the secondary language, so Savannah Area Language & Culture Exchange  is promoting a community for our kids to have just that.

Where:  Savannah Area Language & Culture Exchange, 206 East 36 St. Savannah
When: Sat. Feb 8 2020, 12:30-2:30PM
Who: All ages. Games for toddlers to teenagers.
Come for a bit or stay for the whole 2 hours, it’s up to you.
*Parents will need to stay at the Exchange while their children are present, but  Savannah Area Language & Culture Exchange will have coffee, tea, and good conversation while the kiddos play.

Savannah Area Language Culture Exchange is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The Savannah Country Day School, a JK-12 independent school in Savannah, invites you to a FREE lecture by Michael Thompson – author of several best-selling parenting books – Wed. Feb. 5 @ 6PM on the school campus. (This is a change from the previously published time of 7pm) Join SCDS as Thompson walks parents and educators through the complex social world of our children

Schmidt Lecture Series event: “Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Friendship Development, Popularity and Social Cruelty in Childhood,” presented by Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
Jelks Auditorium
6PM Wed. Feb. 5
Savannah Country Day School
824 Stillwood Drive
Savannah, GA 31419-2643
912-925-8800

Savannah Country Day School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Ready to tumble?

Check out one of  Crowned Elite Athletics in Savannah‘s  tumbling classes today.

Crowned Elite Athletics has Savannah tumbling classes for all ages and skill levels with new intermediate and advanced classes beginning on Thursdays.

Combine a tumbling class with one of Crowned Elite’s stunting or flexibility classes for a winning combo.

Cost: $55 monthly or $95 for any two.

Register online here. 

Crowned Elite Athletics, (912) 308-5719, crownedeliteathletics.com, 202 Bourne Blvd, Suite 160 Savannah, GA 31408, Crowned Elite Athletics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Enrollment for Soccer Shots Spring Soccer is now open in Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Bluffton.

Soccer Shots is kicking off the season and your child is invited to join Soccer Shots on Soccer Island.

Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program for children ages 2-8 with a focus on character development.

Soccer Shots also offers special programming for children ages 3 and up with special needs. ​Weekly sessions focus on basic soccer skills like dribbling, passing and shooting. Through fun games and positive reinforcement, children will begin to experience the joy of playing soccer and being active. Soccer Shots curriculum is aligned with early learning state standards and highlights a positive character trait each week such as respect, confidence and determination. And Soccer Shots coaches are the best in the business.

Visit Soccershots.org/savannah to learn more. Then click “View Locations” and use the new search feature to find a location near you that meets at a time that fits your schedule.

Soccer Shots has locations all throughout Savannah, Pooler, Richmond Hill, Rincon and Bluffton. Spots will fill quickly, so enroll today.

Soccer Shots is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Kumon of Pooler is offering free registration for ages 3 & older from Feb. 1 to March 15 2020 which means you can save up to $50.

Kumon of Pooler is part of the world’s largest after-school math & reading program, helping children of all ages and all levels become self-learners. A Kumon Program can be tailored for advanced students who need to be challenged, but also for students who need help catching up.

Schedule an orientation to see how Kumon can benefit your preschooler.

Enroll your kids in Kumon of Pooler today and save up to $50 with free registration. Offer ends March 15 2020.

Kumon of Pooler
208 GRAND CENTRAL BLVD. SUITE 200
POOLER, GA 31322
912.920.8899
email janesecooper@ikumon.com

Kumon of Pooler is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

February Playdates: “It’s a Mystery!”
What will the playdate theme be?
Can you guess Kindermusik Savannah’s February playdate theme? It’s a MYSTERY! Come join Kindermusik Savannah for a mystery class theme… whatever it is, you know it’s going to be a blast! Don’t miss this super-fun playdate full of exciting surprises! You just gotta come to find out!

You and your child will get:

A 40-minute class packed with learning, love, and laughter
A Kindermusik instrument
10 digitally downloadable Kindermusik songs of YOUR choice!
A $10 coupon for Kindermusik Savannah weekly studio classes
Our February playdates will be held 2 times, so feel free to enroll in one or both dates. Playdates are open to children ages 0-7 and their caregivers! Spaces in each playdate are limited and tend to fill fast, so hurry to enroll now and save your family’s spots!

Cost: $18 for first child; $10 each for siblings

Ages newborn to 7 years; multiple adult caregivers welcome!

Wednesday, February 19 & Saturday, February 22 2020 @ 10AM

Enroll today at kindermusikwith88keys.com

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

The Habersham School in Savannah offers several open houses for prospective families.

These admissions events and tours are wonderful opportunities for parents to learn more about the distinctives of a Habersham education.

2020 open houses & admissions calendar

March 6 2020
April 2 2020

All are at 9AM at Gould Cottage. Learn more here. 

__________________________________

About The Habersham School

The Habersham School, Savannah
PK3-12th

The Habersham School opened its doors in fall 2012, seeking to restore education to its purest form. The academic foundation is built upon the time-honored tradition of classical, liberal arts education, where students are taught to question, to investigate, to dialogue and to create.

In contrast with the uncertainty and hectic pace of today’s world, Habersham offers a nurturing and orderly environment where all learning is firmly rooted in the immovable truth of Christ.

Meaning and purpose underpin every aspect of instruction, leading students to discover the joy of learning and the virtue of hard work. Further, the unique all-school House system builds rich tradition while fostering community, competition, service and student leadership.

The Habersham School, 505 E 54th St, Savannah, 31405 (912) 509-0540. On Facebook here. Follow on twitter@habershamschool & on Instagram here.  The Habersham School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Come see St. Andrew’s School on Wilmington Island in action @ an open house @ St. Andrew’s: 9:30AM Thurs. Feb. 6. 2020

St. Andrew’s School
Ages 3-Grade 12
Savannah, Ga

To make a reservation, complete the online inquiry form here, email hellew@saintschool.com, or call (912)897-4941.

Schedule a tour.

_____________________________

About St. Andrew’s

St. Andrew’s is a college preparatory school for Pre-K3 through Grade 12 located on Wilmington Island, Savannah.

The independent school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and has been recognized
for the past five years as an Apple Distinguished School. St. Andrew’s School was named best Savannah private school in Savannah Magazine in 2016.

For more information, visit saslions.com

St. Andrew’s School, 601 Penn Waller Rd, Savannah, 31410. 912.897.4941 ext 452, www.saintschool.com , email hellew@saintschool.com On Facebook here.   On Twitter here. St. Andrew’s is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Your typical to-do list: Get to work, spend time with your family, be as productive as possible, cook a good dinner, clean up the house, de-stress, and, if you’re lucky, squeeze in time to work out.

“For so many people, and Americans especially, the last piece in that long list of daily to-dos often gets overlooked,” SouthCoast Health General Physician Dr. Leslie Sizemore stated. “But keeping everything in our life running the way we want involves being kind to our bodies and keeping ourselves as healthy as possible. As easy as it is to skip working out and eating healthy, it can have negative effects on us in the long run.”

Find tips here on to how to strike a balance between work and life that includes developing healthy habits.

Super Museum Sunday 2020

FREE admission to museums, historic sites on Super Museum Sunday, Feb. 9 2020

Georgia History Festival’s Super Museum Sunday 2020 is Sun. Feb. 9 when various museums and historical sites in the Savannah area are free and open to the public.

See the list of participating Super Museum Sunday Sites here.  

Various sites will have free admission Feb. 10 2019 from noon – 4PM, unless alternate hours are listed.

Highlights of this year’s special event programming include:

• Oatland Island Wildlife Center will open at 10AM so you can get a head start on the day.
• Georgia State Railroad Museum will have site tours, special office car tours & a short train ride.
• Fort King George Historic Site will have musket firing demonstrations from 10AM-4PM

Telfair Museums’ three sites – The Jepson Center, Telfair Academy & Owens-Thomas House, will be open & free noon-4PM.
The Jepson Center,  207 W. York St. Savannah 31401
Telfair Academy, 121 Barnard St. Savannah, 31401
Owens-Thomas House, 124 Abercorn St. Savannah, 31401

All Coastal Heritage Society sites – Savannah Children’s Museum, Georgia State Railroad Museum, Fort Jackson, Savannah History Museum – will be open & free.

________________________________

FREE Colonial Faire and Muster 2020

Saturday & Sunday, 10AM- 4PM Feb 8 & Feb. 9 2020
Wormsloe Historic Site, 7601 Skidaway Rd, Savannah  31406.
Experience life in Colonial Georgia during the 18th century with a military encampment, sutler’s row, craft demonstrations, military demonstrations, and period music and dance. Food concessions will be available. Free. 912-353-3023. Details here. 

_____________________________

FREE Georgia Day Parade 2020, Savannah

Educators & students in grades K-12 are invited to participate in the Georgia Day Parade on Fri. Feb. 21, 2020. As part of the annual commemoration of the founding of the Georgia colony by James Edward Oglethorpe, a tradition dating back to the earliest years of the colony’s founding, students, local dignitaries, musicians, & costumed performers will march through Savannah’s historic squares. Registration is now open.

Registration details here. 

_____________________________

FOR MORE FREE SAVANNAH AREA KIDS’ EVENTS, CLICK HERE. 

Learn more about Veritas Academy in Savannah @ a PreK-12th Open House, Thurs. Feb. 6 2020.

Veritas Academy Open House, PreK-12th
Thurs. Feb. 6, 2020
9-11AM
25 W Oglethorpe Ln.
Savannah, GA 31401-3971

The mission of Veritas Academy is to assist parents in the education of their children by cultivating truth, goodness, and beauty in students through a distinctly Christ-centered,classical, and covenantal education.

No other school in Savannah offers our distinctive combination of substantive academics, genuine Christ-centered culture, and a format that tangibly engages the family.

Interested? Come find out how Veritas Academy’s classical, Christian, and covenantal education model is right for your children.

During this open house you will get a chance to:
-Tour the campus
-Sit in and experience the classroom atmosphere
-Have a Q & A session with the Headmaster
-Receive curriculum & admissions information
-Speak with other Veritas parents

RSVP online here.

Veritas Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL SEPT. 27

The 2020 Flannery O’Connor Birthday Parade and Street Fair will take place on Sun. March 22 2020, 1-4PM in Lafayette Square in Savannah.

This lively annual birthday celebration of acclaimed author and Savannah native Flannery O’Connor will offer family fun, live music and more. All are invited to join the parade, carry handmade signs and sing along.

Live music will be provided by a cavalcade of singer-songwriters and musicians from some of Savannah’s finest local bands in honor of O’Connor’s birthday. Music for the parade will be performed by the Sweet Thunder Strolling Band.

Local authors will be on hand with copies of their publications and information.

Costumes inspired by Flannery O’Connor’s characters and settings or by the author’s life are encouraged, but not required.

The event is free and open to the public. Rain date: Sun. March 29 2020.

Learn more here. 

UPDATE: THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED UNTIL SEPT. 27

ABOUT THE FLANNERY O’CONNOR CHILDHOOD HOME:
The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home, located at 207 E. Charlton Street in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, is dedicated to preserving the legacy of one of the South’s greatest writers. An established 501 3(C) nonprofit organization, the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home has been meticulously restored to reflect the authentic period furnishings of a Depression-Era Savannah rowhouse and to offer insight into the years that O’Connor lived in Savannah, from 1925 to 1938. The Home proudly presents a series of free lectures each spring and fall as well as other events throughout the year. For more information, please visit www.flanneryoconnorhome.org or call 912.233.60

Come climb on and explore the vehicles that build and protect our community at Pooler MOPS 3rd annual Touch a Truck!

Admission is $5 per person with a maximum of $20 per household. Children younger than 2 are free. Buy tickets online here. 

This year, an additional hour was added because there’ll be even more fun.

The “Horn-Free Time” will be from 10-10:45AM. You can experience all the fun of Touch a Truck without loud music, horns and sirens. We’ll start announcements and music at 10:45AM, but horns and vehicle noise won’t start until 11AM

Presented by Pooler MOPS with the presenting sponsor, Chick-fil-A Pooler.

3rd Annual Pooler MOPS Touch-a-Truck
Sat. Feb. 22, 2020, 10AM-2PM
200 Preston Stokes Dr.
Pooler, GA 31322
Hosted by Pooler MOPS

From the sheep’s body to the finished wool product!

Observe and participate in the magical creation of a woolen shawl through all the stages of wool processing.

Members of The Fiber Guild of the Savannah’s join Oatland staff and volunteers in making this traditional Savannah spring celebration fun for the whole family.

The annual Sheep to Shawl Festival will be 10AM-2PM Sat. March 7 2020 @ Oatland Island Wildlife Center, Savannah.

The Oatland sheep will be sheared throughout the day with demonstrations of carding, spinning, dying and weaving the wool. Crafts, games, hay rides and other children’s activities as well as food concessions will be available.

Admission
$5 Adult, $3 Children

Sheep to Shawl 2020
Sat. March 7, 2020
10AM-2PM
Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Rd.
Savannah, GA 31410

Start your day with art with Telfair Museums’ new and combined parent & me program in Savannah: Art Start @ the Jepson Center.

Once a month, Telfair Museums’ youngest patrons are invited to the Jepson Center for story time, a special tour, and an art activity. Strollers, crying babies, toddlers, and older siblings are all welcome here.

February 2020’s featured exhibition is PULSE Art + Technology Festival. Come play and learn @ The Jepson Center.

_________________________

February 2020 Art Start theme: PULSE Art + Technology Festival
Thurs. Feb. 20, 10:30-11:30PM
$5 per child
Adult members free / Adult non-members $12

Register online here.

__________________________

Jepson Center
207 W York St.
Savannah, GA 31401

________________________________

Telfair Museums is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

You & your family are invited to get a first-hand glimpse of all the amazing opportunities available for students in Pre-K through 12th grade @ a Feb. 23 2020 open house @ Calvary Day School in Savannah 

Calvary Day School open houses are the perfect chance to see what today’s learners are doing to become tomorrow’s leaders.

Learn more here

Open House @ Calvary Day School, 4625 Waters Ave, Savannah

Sun. Feb. 23 2020, 2-4PM

Register online here for the Nov. open house.

____________________________

Private Tours

Private tours are also available throughout the school year from 9AM-2PM. To schedule your private tour, call Calvary admissions department at (912) 351-0700  or email admissions@calvarydayschool.com to schedule your tour.

To learn more about Calvary Day School, visit their website at www.calvarydayschool.com.

__________________________

Great news coming to you from Kindermusik Savannah with 88 Keys studio:

Brand new classes for babies ages 0-2 and older children ages 4-7 starting up Monday, March 2 2020.

Kindermusik Savannah will add a SECOND baby class, “Cuddle & Bounce”, meeting Mondays at 10AM. This class starts up March 2.

The 4-7 year old class, “Move & Groove”, will meet on Mondays at 4PM starting March 2 2020.

Enrollment in both classes is limited and available now at kindermusikwith88keys.com. Come experience the joy of Kindermusik and watch your child blossom in music and so much more!

Kindermusik…a good beginning never ends.

Kindermusik Savannah, kindermusikwith88keys.com,  email music@kindermusikwith88keys.com or info@kindermusikwith88keys.com, 912.988.KEYS (5397) Kindermusik is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Savannah Educational Consultants offers small group SAT prep classes to high school juniors preparing to take these high stakes standardized tests in the spring.

Classes run 5 weeks each, English and Math, 2-hour sessions for a total of 10 hours. Classes are taught by teachers who are educated and experienced in their area of expertise.

If you are interested in services or want more information please call 912-238-9552, to register please contact Maureen Cole at mcole@savannaheducationalconsultants.com.

Savannah Educational Consultants
130 Tibet Ave., Suite 103
Savannah, GA 31406

Savannah Educational Consultants is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser