Does back-to-school season have you depressed about your kids’ public education options in our area? Not to mention reading those intimidating private school tuitions in the current issue of Savannah Magazine?

Good news: there’s a new tuition scholarship program targeted towards low to moderate income families who are looking for an alternative to public education. St. Andrew’s School, an independent college prep school on Wilmington Island for Pre-K through 12th grade, participates in this program.

The Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program provides qualified Georgian children from low-and moderate income families with the opportunity to attend the private K-12 schools. The scholarships are available to any child entering kindergarten and any student in grades 1-12 who is transferring from public school.

GOAL Scholarships are awarded on a sliding scale based on the availability of funds, the annual household income of applicant families, and household size. In order for a child to receive a GOAL Scholarship in any amount, total household income cannot exceed $85,000.

Click here to see a list of participating schools in the Savannah-area. For more info on St. Andrew’s scholarship program, click here.

You couldn’t keep your child out of the pool this summer. And you want to do everything you can to encourage that little fish status, even after your pool closes for the summer.

A new session of Starfish Swim School children’s classes starts in September at  The Chatham County Aquatic Center. . Registration deadline is Aug. 28

A variety of classes are offered, including Starbabies for ages 6 months to 36 months. That class helps such very young children develop a high comfort level in the water while at the same time training parents in water safety.

The goal isn’t to get toddlers to do the butterfly stroke, but to get them comfortable putting their face in the water, kicking, blowing bubbles and sometimes even learning how to climb out of the pull and jump in.

One parent must be in the water with each child. Be prepared for lots of singing (”Splashes. Splashes. We all blow bubbles….”) Click here for a schedule.

Other classes include:

SeaSprites for ages 3-5: swim skills through creative water activities.
SeaStars for ages 6-8: core swimming skills and the opportunity to progress to advanced strokes;
SwimStars for ages 9 and older: swimming skills, water safety, water sports and adventure learning activities.
StrokeStars for any age that meets the skills requirement: refine freestyle and learn stroke technique for backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and more.

Classes cost $50 for non members and $38 for members. Call 912.652.6793. Learn more by clicking here. The Chatham County Aquatic Center is @ 7420 Sallie Mood

The READING EXPRESS @ Roundhouse Railroad Museum
Get ready to return to school by sharpening your child’s reading and listening skills while having a lot of fun. Share books while riding the train at the Roundhouse.
10 – 11:30 AM Sat. Aug. 15
$10 per person
10– 10:30: Activities, Crafts, and Games
10:30 – 11 Train Ride and Storytime
11:00 – 11:30: Train cookies and chocolate milk in the Baggage Car.
Cards will be given out for the Reading Express Club. Each child who listens or reads enough books to fill up his/her card will be entered in a drawing to win a ride in the cab of the Reading Express Locomotive.
To register, call 651-6823 or email childrensevents@chsgeorgia.org.

“Butterfly Gardening and Bee Keeping” at the Savannah-Ogeechee Canal Museum and Nature Center
10:30 AM Sat. August 15
681 Ft. Argyle Rd. (Rt. 204) 2.3 miles past I-95.
Learn about creating a butterfly garden and find out what’s involved in bee keeping. Chica Arndt and Linda Harms will give the program.
Admission: $2 for adults, $1 for children 4-12.
(912) 748-8068 or e-mail: info@savannahogeecheecanal.com

Saturday Explorations at The Aquarium (SEA) Program at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway IslandThis week’s theme: Hurricanes: What needs to be in my hurricane supply box? What do they mean when they say have a plan? How do you track a hurricane? What is the difference between a hurricane, tropical cyclone, and typhoon? These are just some of the many questions that will be answered this Saturday.
Games will include who can pack their hurricane box fastest and who can complete the hurricane plan more quickly.
Time: 10 AM-noon Sat. Aug. 15
Cost: $10 per person
30 Ocean Science Circle.
To register, contact 912.598.3474 or e-mail fish@uga.edu.

Book signing by Doug Paul, author of middle-grade sci-fi/fantasy books including “One Wizard Place,” “Sentinel” and “Sidhe”.
2-4 PM Sun. Aug. 16
Barnes & Noble @ Oglethorpe Mall

Kindermusik parent-and-me classes are a perfect way to spend time with your child and spark your little one’s  interest in music.

Fall classes are available for children ages 0-7.

To register online, visit the local Kindermusik Web site here. For more info, email music@instrumentalinks.com or call 912.728-KEYS (5397)

All classes are limited to a certain number of children. Many fill up quickly, so register today. Please email this post your friends, family, neighbors and Moms’ groups.

All classes begin the week after Labor Day, with Monday classes beginning September 14. Classes will run for 15 weeks and go through late January.

Classes will be offered Monday mornings in Savannah (Sandfly area), Tuesday mornings on Wilmington Island and Saturday mornings in Savannah (Southside). For those who have interest in Wednesday classes at the Landings, or Wednesday classes in Richmond Hill, please email email music@instrumentalinks.com asap. A certain number of interested families are needed in order to hold classes there.

Kindermusik will also be offering a preschool class (ages 3-5) 11:10am Mondays.

Here are some brief descriptions of the fall curricula:

Kindermusik Village (ages 0-20 months) “feathers” and “dosido”:

• Feathers — The musical poems of Woody Guthrie, bird songs, and the naturally occurring sounds in nature help babies develop an early appreciation and accelerated aptitude for language, movement, and music in this class.  Home Materials: CD with over 25 specially-selected recordings from class, Kindermusik chimeball, a colorful picture book of birds. Feathers, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.
• Do-Si-Do — Pick up your baby and dance. Dance the Charleston, the Tango, and the Cha-Cha and learn why dancing with your baby helps develop vital learning skills from head-to-toe. In this class, play a variety of baby appropriate instruments, a dance with fun props. Home Materials: CD with songs from class, an instrument Kindermusik eggshaker and scarf, a picture board book Do-Si-Do with lilting move-to-it rhyming text, and a set of Art Banners for the nursery wall that strengthens vision and promotes early literacy.

Kindermusik Our Time (ages 18 months to 3.5 years)

• Wiggles & Giggles — The more than 30 songs, 15 dances, and eight different instruments create these unique music activities, designed to reflect the importance of movement in the life of a toddler.  Home Materials: Double CD features 50 songs, sounds, and recordings of favorite activities from class; two story books:Watch Me! and Pete and P.J., to develop early literacy skills; Home Activity Book; and specially-made pair of zigzag blocks instrument to develop rhythm and hand-eye coordination-all conveniently stored in a Wiggles & Giggles carry bag.

Kindermusik Imagine That! (ages 3-5 years)

• See What I Saw — In this class, preschoolers use their real experience of playing in the park to create imaginative, storytelling scenarios with music?go on an imaginary trip to Grasshopper Park where they sail down the park slide and then recreate the sound of that experience with a loooong vocal glissando. Each week provides preschoolers one uninterrupted session of imaginative play that’s guided in a very specific, sequential way with a special sharing time with parents in the last 15 minutes of class. Home Materials: Two books: Can You Find Me? and The Ant Picnic Feast, Two Home CDs, See What I Saw Play Set, a Family Activity Book, a slide whistle instrument, a slide whistle and lumi sticks instruments, and a backpack.

 Kindermusik in Savannah is a sponsor SouthernMamas

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department recently held a news conference to discuss the dangers of co-sleeping and increasing incidents of infant overlay. Infant overlay – a preventable death – occurs when an infant child dies as a result of the suffocation resulting from co-sleeping with adults or older children.

Child overlay is a national problem that has become more frequent in the Savannah-Chatham area. Metro Police is teaming up with local professionals to inform and educate the community in preventative measures to prevent these types of deaths.

As early as 1999, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warned parents and caregivers about the dangers of placing babies to sleep in adult beds.

A CPSC study published in the October 2000 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that placing babies to sleep in adult beds puts them at risk of suffocation or strangulation.

This is a danger of which many parents and caregivers are unaware. The study revealed an average 64 deaths per year to babies under the age of 2 years placed to sleep in adult beds, including waterbeds and daybeds. A review of incident data from January 1990 to December 1997 linked adult beds to at least 515 baby deaths.

Would appreciate hearing what SouthernMamas readers have to say about the issue of co-sleeping with infants. There are obviously benefits to co-sleeping not addressed here. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? Certainly, sleeping products are available to make co-sleeping safer. What’s your take?

SouthernMamas readers are always telling us how much they’d love to have a Savannah Children’s Museum.

Here’s your chance to help make it happen. Work is under way to build a Savannah Children’s Museum, which will be in railroad buildings adjacent to Battlefield Park and the Roundhouse Railroad Museum downtown. Estimated completion date is late 2010.

The museum will be owned by the city of Savannah and will be operated by the Coastal Heritage Society.

The Coastal Heritage Society plans to hold monthly volunteer work days to complete the outdoor courtyard and carpentry shop play space. These spaces will provide unique and engaging outdoor gross motor activities for children of all ages as phase 1 of the museum.

Work on the monthly volunteer days will include building benches, planters, a maze, laying sod, and preparing the outdoor space. Become a member of the museum’s Workers of Wonders (WOW) team to bring the Savannah Children’s Museum to life. People of all skill levels are needed.

The first volunteer day will be 9 AM- 3 PM Sat. Sept 19

For more information, to volunteer or donate supplies contact Beth Parr, 663-7466 or bparr@chsgeorgia.org

If you would like to be on a mailing list for updates about the museum, click here.

ABC’s EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION is searching for deserving families in Savannah.

To be eligible, a family must own their own single family home and be able to show producers how a makeover will make a huge difference in their lives. Deadline for nominations is this Fri. Aug. 14.

For more information on the application process click here. Good luck!

You’ve loved Petunia Pickle Bottom (PPB) products for years. Who can resist their distinct, unique and decidedly fashionable fabrics and cuts?

Take for instance their new line of organic gift sets that SouthernMamas is giving away this week– a 3-pack of onesies and a 3-pack socks each available in 3 different color schemes that I won’t be able to do justice trying to describe. Instead, the giveaway goodies are pictured here.

My 2-year-old’s new favorite spot is the Savannah Bee Co. Honey House, which has a kid-friendly play area in the back of the honey-and-bee themed Broughton Street boutique.

There’s a large a bee hive – called the bee skep – filled with books and toys and bee-themed flicks. There’s also a theater section showing documentaries on bees and honey, as well as a honeycomb playhouse, complete with doors and windows. Mom and dad can sip honey-lattes while the kids play.

The Honey House kids’ area is perfect when you need a break while shopping downtown with the kids. Or if you’re just looking for something different on a thunderstormy afternoon: the Savannah Bee Co. Honey House, 104 W. Broughton St.

Here are some safety tips from SafeKids when it comes to leaving kids in vehicles.

As temperatures increase and family schedules change, parents and caregivers should avoid leaving children unsupervised in or near vehicles.

Children in vehicles under extreme heat conditions are vulnerable. Heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency, can occur in temperatures as low as 80 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on humidity levels. Body temperatures higher than 105 degrees Fahrenheit can cause permanent brain damage or even death, especially among children.

Other serious injuries occur when children get entrapped in trunks or when they set a vehicle in motion leading to crashes.  Recommendations include:

 Make your car safer. Always keep car doors and trunks locked, even in the garage or driveway, to keep kids out. Treat it as the multi-ton, fast-moving enclosure and piece of machinery that it is. Keep the rear fold-down seats closed to prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car

 Supervision is key. Even if the windows are down, never leave your child unattended in a car. Never leave your car keys where children can get them. Teach children not to play in or around cars. If a child is missing at home, check the car first, including the trunk

 Adopt safety-focused behaviors. Consider placing your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car. Be sure everyone leaves the vehicle when you reach your destination

 Notification plan. Consider having your child’s teacher or childcare provider call you if your child does not arrive when expected

 Get involved if you see a child alone in a vehicle. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible and call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Another important aspect of car safety is making sure that your car itself is safe. If it’s older and might not be the most up to date vehicle you should consider selling your car to Ecology Cash For Cars. They are a company that will purchase your car from you even if it’s old.

Catherine Edmonds!

Congratulations. Catherine wins a photo session from Savannah-based photographer LeeAnn Ritch (a $225 value) and online proofing . The CD and prints are not included.

Examples of LeeAnn’s work are pictured in her blog and her Web site.  Click here to contact LeeAnn. Or call 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com

Thanks to everyone who entered last week’s giveaway. Check out the comments section below the initial giveaway announcement post for 40 ideas from SouthernMamas readers on how to savor the last days of summer.

Coming soon to Savannah: a new indoor playground and birthday spot.

Monkey Joe’s – which offers bouncing, sliding, and jumping fun for kids 12 years-old and younger – will open a Savannah location at 309 Eisenhower Drive next to Dr. Ramon Ramos’ office.

The exact opening date is not confirmed yet, but a spokesperson said the estimated opening time is the end of September/early October.

Monkey Joe’s features an inflatable play center including inflatable slides, jumps, and obstacle courses where kids can bounce, jump, slide, and have fun. Kids 3 years-old and younger have their own play area.

Read more here.

Your idea of music (twirling to Tchaikovsky, moving to Mozart) isn’t quite the same as your little one’s (using the toy piano as a tap dance stage).

Get everyone in perfect harmony with Make A Joyful Noise early childhood music classes. Think singing, dancing, and instrument playing, plus activities that improve motor skills and rhythm.

Attend the Make A Joyful Noise open house Sat. Aug. 8 for a free preview of a class (babies to 6 years) at 10:30 AM as well as drawings for FREE CLASSES; and an 11:30 AM audition for the Sounds of Praise Children’s Choir

Contact Vicki to pre-register for the preview class. 912-920-6542. Click here for more info.

Sending a child off to school can be scary. Sure moms joke about back-to-school being “the most wonderful time of the year” but that doesn’t mean it’s not also anxiety provoking.

Will the teacher like my child? Who will be the new classmates? Will they be good influences — or bad? Will my child struggle to make friends or deal with bullies or endure teasing? And most of all, will my child be safe?

What 175,000+ moms around the world have discovered is that back-to-school anxiety and fear can be replaced with peace and hope. And yes, even joy. Moms In Touch International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers and other interested women to pray. Learn more how you can become involved by visiting www.momsintouch.org or contacting Stacy Cerone at 228-4270, scerPM@comcast.net.

Your kids are sun-kissed. You’re rested. And your husband’s rocking his beach bronze. What better time to book a photo session so you can be so-very ahead of the game with a sun-drenched family portrait when the holidays roll around.

Lucky for you, this week on SouthernMamas, Savannah-based photographer and natural-light aficionado LeeAnn Ritch is giving away a photo session (a $225 value) and online proofing to a lucky SouthernMamas subscriber. The CD and prints are not included.

 Examples of LeeAnn’s work are pictured here and in her blog and her Web site.

Click here to contact LeeAnn. Or call 912.308.9327 or email leeann@leeannritchphotography.com

Tired of assembly line invites and stationery? Just your luck: Savannah-based graphic designer Emily McCarthy gives new moms and baby shower-throwers alike a fresh take on the old baby announcement and invitation.

Emily has been in the invitation and stationery industry for more than eight years. While still employed as Senior Designer for one the largest invitation retailers in the country, Emily has created emma j design – an exclusive offering of custom invitations and stationery. Mixing modern and traditional, Emily adds her flair to any event.

A firm believer in setting the mood of your event with the invitation, Emily works one-on-one with each client to create a unique invitation that can only be found at emma j design. All of her illustrations and artwork are completely custom and are drawn specifically by the artist. Emily, originally from the Atlanta area, was a newcomer to Savannah three years ago and is excited to offer her talents and services to the South.

emma j design offers custom invitations {couture wedding and letterpress, birthday parties, dinner parties, baby and bridal showers}, baby and moving announcements, custom stationery and monograms, wedding styling {logos, invitations, programs, favor tags}, corporate branding and logos, business cards, catalogs and product design.

Contact Emily McCarthy today to set up an appointment or to place an order. Email inquiries to emily@emmajdesign.com .

Visit www.emmajdesign.com for an online gallery of work and to visit her popular blog: A Savannah Redtop.

Sometimes we all need to be reminded to appreciate how fortunate we are to have healthy children.

Which is why you should check out my newspaper column this week about a Savannah baby who needs a new heart to survive.

Amy and Brad Stewart have to miss out on so many joys of first-time parenthood as they try to help their 7-month old son while he waits for a donated heart. But the worst part is having to see their son, Cabell, sick, hooked up to tubes and confined to a hospital.

Read Cabell’s story here and follow his progress on by going to CarePages.com where Cabell’s site is IHeartCab.

Help is available for Savannah-area women struggling with infertility.

A new infertility support group is starting this month at Savannah Christian Church. The first meeting will be 6:30 PM Aug. 8. Meetings will be every month.

The goal is to provide support and resources for women in the Savannah area struggling with infertility or pursuing/or have been through adoption.

Denise Perry.

Denise wins a $50 gift certificate to The Melting Pot!, a fondue restaurant opening in September on Broughton Street in downtown Savannah.

Thanks to everyone who entered to win by signing up to become Club Fondue members. Members receive free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday and wedding anniversary. You will also receive monthly emails about The Melting Pot’s grand opening, ladies night out, wine tastings and other fun events.

Look for another giveaway from a different business to be announced here Monday.

First Saturday for Kids at Telfair’s Jepson Center for Arts
Studio art workshop “Counter Photography: Japan’s Artists Today”; storytelling; children activities in the ArtZeum; an 11 am classic family film.
Free admission. No registration required.
10 am -1 pm Sat. Aug. 1
207 W. York St., downtown Savannah
912.790.8800

Last Chance to Ride the Roundhouse Railroad Museum Train Until Fall!
The popular train rides at the Roundhouse Railroad Museum will go on a roughly one-month hiatus after this Sun. Aug. 2.
Passengers can ride behind the steam locomotive 11am, 2pm and 4pm Sat. August 1
and behind one of the diesel locomotives on Sun. Aug. 2. Regular admission rates apply.
Rides will return on Saturdays and Sundays September through November at 11am, 2pm, and 4pm, with a special Fall “Steam Days” event featuring daily rides November 6-15.
(912) 651-6823.

End-of-Camp Savannah Childrens’ Choir concert in the Jelks Auditorium at Savannah Country Day School
7 PM Fri. July 31. Free and open to the public.
Featuring music the children have learned and will also debut music some of the kids have composed, performed by professional artists.
912. 228.4758

Saturday Explorations at The Aquarium (SEA) Program at the UGA Marine Education Center and Aquarium on Skidaway Island
This week’s theme: Horseshoe Crabs. Kids can experience horseshoe crabs and get all their questions about them answered.
10 AM-noon Sat. Aug. 1
Cost: $10 per person.
Must be 8 years old or older
30 Ocean Science Circle.
To register, contact 912.598.3474 or e-mail fish@uga.edu.

Movie & a game
Watch the movie in air-conditioned Lucas Theatre and get a ride to Historic Grayson Stadium to a Sand Gnats Game
THIS WEEK’S MOVIES:
“Field of Dreams” 3:30 PM Fri. July 31, “Angels in the Outfield (1951), 4 PM Sat. Aug. 1
Both preceded by family-friendly animated movie “How to Play Baseball” starring Goofy
Package includes movie ticket, roundtrip transportation and baseball game ticket: $17
Discounts available for military seniors and with a SCAD id
912.525.5050

Faith Night at Grayson Stadium
Sat. Aug. 1
5 PM Fish Eyed Fools concert before the Sand Gnats game. Players and coaches will give personal testimonials.
912.351.9150

Home Depot Kids Workshop
Free how-to clinics designed for children ages 5-12, available on the first Saturday of the month. Children accompanied by an adult create useful objects
9 am-noon @ all Home Depot stores.

First Saturday on the River
9 AM-7 PM Sat. Aug. 1 on River Street.
Featuring 60 regional arts and crafts exhibitors, music, food and drink. The U.S. Coast Guard does live demos.

Adult activity, but worth mentioning anyway
Open house at Savannah Mall to introduce THE MARKETPLACE AT SAVANNAH MALL to prospective shopkeepers.
The new marketplace is ideal for moms to locate their businesses at affordable rates, whether your business is jewelry, photography, yoga, gourmet food or more.
Visit customer service Fri. July 31-Aug. 2
The first 50 businesses to sign a one-year lease will receive the first month’s rent FREE.
Contact Chardell Steves chardell.steves@savannahmall.com or 912.927.7467.

Wanted: volunteers to help transform a vacant plot into a Pooler community-built park.

The aim is to build a 17,000-square-foot park that is the largest and most unique playground in the area, custom-designed by children and built entirely through volunteer efforts.

The West Chatham YMCA in Pooler donated the land adjacent to Pooler Parkway between the YMCA and the new Pooler Recreation Park.

Volunteers will be needed to do most of the work – organization, fundraising, procurement and volunteer recruitment, even meal preparation and child care for the workers. Design, drafting, project management and construction supervision will be left to playground developers Leathers and Associates of New York.

The estimated $500,000 project will be funded in part by donations and fundraisers.

The proposed playground will be free and open to everyone, providing play opportunities for children of all abilities.

For more info, click here or call (912) 748-9622.

Looking for a fabulous date night? How about a fun night out with the girls? Coming soon to Broughton Street in downtown Savannah is The Melting Pot! At The Melting Pot, fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience where you can truly dip into something different. Come discover The Melting Pot’s relaxed atmosphere, private tables, fine wines, attentive service and exceptional fondue dinners.

Start with a creamy cheese fondue. Then choose from four flavorful fondue cooking styles and a variety of entrées including filet mignon, lobster, blackened chicken, duck, shrimp, salmon and more. For dessert, enjoy mouthwatering chocolate fondue served with dipping items including fresh strawberries, cheesecake, marshmallows, pound cake and brownies.

To enter to win, sign up here for Club Fondue. Club Fondue members receive free chocolate fondue for two on your birthday and wedding anniversary. You will also receive monthly emails about The Melting Pot’s grand opening, ladies night out, wine tastings and other fun events.

You have to be a SouthernMamas subscriber to enter. Subscribing is free. Click here to do so.

You have until 9 pm this Thurs. July 30 to enter and then The Melting Pot will choose a name. SouthernMamas will announce the winner here Fri. July 31.

The Melting Pot will be opening soon in September. Come and enjoy a night of fondue!

Daily Candy offered a fun tip this week for summer garden fun: Nature Bingo.

Here’s how it works.

Step One: Select 24 objects that can be easily found in your backyard or local park (or not so easily found, depending on how much of a break you need). Think seasonal flowers, plants, trees, bugs, even rocks.

Step Two: Have kids draw a grid (five across, five down, with a free space in the middle) depicting these objects using crayons or markers.

Step Three: Send your child out and about to find five in a row. Once mastered, mix things up by choosing new items to hunt for.

Step Four: Repeat as necessary.

Amie Huse!

Amie’s child wins free tuition to a kids’ sculpture class for children 4 and older. Value is $50.

The class is @ Tiffany Drabek Studio 215 E. 64th St. in Savannah. Here are the details if you want to sign up your child:
Just For Kids Clay Workshop: July 27-30
Kids 4 and up will learn hand building techniques as they create beautiful sculptures. They will paint
their masterpieces in brilliant underglaze colors.  Mon.-Thurs. from 9:30-10:30 AM

Tiffany Drabek also offers other kids summer classes and camps including pottery.

To sign up, contact Tiffany Drabek (912) 692-0659 or tiffanydrabek @gmail.com.