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Archive for the ‘Parenting News’ Category

Author/Educator to speak at JEA on May 19, Savannah

Saturday, May 11th, 2013

Worried about your child’s education?

You’re invited to come to talk on education “Keys to Bringing Out Creativity & Intelligence in Yourself & Your Offspring” given by Author/Educator Bernie Schein at the JEA in Savannah at 10 AM Sun. May 19

KEYS TO BRINGING OUT CREATIVITY & INTELLIGENCE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR OFFSPRING
Featuring Bernie Schein
May 19th 10 am
@ Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St. Savannah,  31405
Free to JEA Members, $8 for community guests
Price Includes breakfast

American education has it backwards. Emotion, not reason – true emotion, no more easily arrived at than the solution to a complex math problem – is the engine that drives the machinery of great works and great lives. Thought – great thought – is the PRODUCT, not the driver of that engine.

Bernie Schein, educator, will share his views and lead a discussion on everything from the shortcomings of the SAT and No Child Left Behind to the need for students to be emotionally open and aware before true learning can take place.

Bernie Schein, a native of Beaufort, S.C., received his Master’s in Education and educational psychology from Harvard. He has been a principal, director of teacher training, and teacher of creative writing and literature at the middle and high school levels. He is author of “If Holden Caulfield Were in My Classroom” (with foreword by Pat Conroy).

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

 

Learn how to talk to your children about protecting themselves from abduction & abuse at free Savannah event organized by The Next Generation

Thursday, May 9th, 2013
learn how to protect your child against abuction, abuse at Savannah safety eventThe Next Generation’s first Educational Social Event of the year is coming up on Tuesday, May 21st from 6 to 8pm at the Savannah Golf Club.
This year, The Next Generation has partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and will be hosting a Take 25 event!
You’re invited to attend to find out protective measures to help keep our children safer.
Dr. Margee McKenna will present practical advise to equip parents and caregivers to effectively talk to their children about ways to protect themselves from abduction and abuse.
Many of us take for granted communicating with our kids about safety and think that no one will ever abduct our children.  However, it could happen to any one of us. More than 2,000 children are reported as missing to law enforcement every day. Out of over 7,000 confirmed attempted abductions, analysis shows the following:
69% of victims are female
41 % are between the ages of 10-14
35% occur while a child is walking along to/from school, the school bus or riding a bicycle
35% occur between the hours of 2pm through 7pm on a weekday
Suspects: 96% are male, 48% are white
72 % involve a vehicle
Please come to this event and learn about how to communicate with your young children about these topics.
Organizers will also provide resources from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, including Conversation Starters and Child ID kits.  Please spread the word about this event.
Anyone is welcome and it is a free event.  There will be a cash bar.  Please RSVP to rsvp@nextgenerationsavannah.com by May 17.

Urgent Care 24/7 FOUR locations in the Savannah area provide adult & pediatric medical care 24 hrs, 7 days a wk

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

24 Hour Medical Care in Savannah, Sandfly, Pooler & Tybee Urgent Care 24/7 is here for you & your family, offering complete medical care when you need it, where you need it.

Life is 24/7 and so is Urgent Care 24/7.

Urgent Care 24/7 FOUR locations in the Savannah area are full-service urgent care centers providing adult and pediatric medical care 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When you or a loved one need prompt medical attention, Urgent Care 24/7 are available with a compassionate and well-trained staff.

Extremely reasonable rates.

No insurance of any kind accepted. However, Urgent Care 24/7 provides you with all the information you need to file your claim with your insurance company.

Urgent Care has FOUR locations in the Savannah area:
* Historic Savannah, 144 Lincoln St., Savannah, 31401
* Tybee Island, 602 1st St., Suite A, Tybee Is. 31328
* Sandfly, 7400 Skidaway Road, Suite B, Savannah, 31406
* Pooler, 9 Mill Creek Circle, Suite A-1, Pooler, 31322

Urgent Care 24/7 Savannah, (912) 234-CARE (2273) email info@urgentcare247.com , www.urgentcare247.com On Facebook here. Urgent Care 24/7 is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited: Family-friendly Savannah Mother’s Day Walk for common sense gun legislation like background checks

Sunday, May 5th, 2013

Savannah Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense

SAVANNAH MOTHER’S DAY WALK: Eight mothers lose a child to gun violence every day in America. That is simply unacceptable.

Join the Savannah chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America for a non-partisan Mother’s Day Walk in Forsyth Park and show our elected officials that we stand united for common sense gun laws.

Join us 4 PM Sunday, May 12th for a family-friendly Mother’s Day Walk in Savannah’s Forsyth Park. Participants are asked to carry 8 paper flowers to honor the 8 children lost to gun violence every day in this country. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to take a stand for common sense gun control laws to protect ALL our children!

Moms Demand Action is a non-partisan group of moms, dads, friends and concerned citizens devoted to enacting common sense gun legislation like universal background checks.

RSVP here.

Stay connected & updated by liking the Savannah chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America by clicking here

Spread the word to your friends, family, and to our Congresspeople that we have had ENOUGH gun violence in this country.

Urgent Care 24/7 FOUR locations in the Savannah area provide adult & pediatric medical care 24 hrs, 7 days a wk

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

24 Hour Medical Care in Savannah, Sandfly, Pooler & Tybee Urgent Care 24/7 is here for you & your family, offering complete medical care when you need it, where you need it.

Life is 24/7 and so is Urgent Care 24/7.

Urgent Care 24/7 FOUR locations in the Savannah area are full-service urgent care centers providing adult and pediatric medical care 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When you or a loved one need prompt medical attention, Urgent Care 24/7 are available with a compassionate and well-trained staff.

Extremely reasonable rates.

No insurance of any kind accepted. However, Urgent Care 24/7 provides you with all the information you need to file your claim with your insurance company.

Urgent Care has FOUR locations in the Savannah area:
* Historic Savannah, 144 Lincoln St., Savannah, 31401
* Tybee Island, 602 1st St., Suite A, Tybee Is. 31328
* Sandfly, 7400 Skidaway Road, Suite B, Savannah, 31406
* Pooler, 9 Mill Creek Circle, Suite A-1, Pooler,  31322

Urgent Care 24/7 Savannah, (912) 234-CARE (2273) email info@urgentcare247.com , www.urgentcare247.com  On Facebook here. Urgent Care 24/7 is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

JEA Preschool Savannah: a nurturing environment with a low teacher to student ratio

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013

Best Preschools in Savannah: JEA Preschool SavannahDid the pre-K lottery not go as you’d hoped? Is your precious toddler ready to expand his/her world and begin developing preschool social skills?

Check out the new JEA Preschool Savannah . It’s a program focused on providing a strong preschool experience in a nurturing environment with low teacher to student ratio. The preschool is now accepting applications. Meet & Greet on April 25th at 5:30pm at the JEA. Free babysitting available; reservations required. For more information go to www.savannahjea.org  or call 912-355-8111 .

About JEA Preschool Savannah JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

See your baby for the first time @ Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio, Savannah

Monday, April 15th, 2013
See your baby for the first time in amazing 3D & 4D ultrasound technology at new Savannah Cherished 4D ultrasound studioEnd the wait & see!
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See your baby for the first time in amazing 4D ultrasound technology at Savannah’s newly opened Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio, located at 7505 Waters Ave, Unit A-5 Savannah, 31406.
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Cherish every moment of your baby’s beautiful face with Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio! Take a 3D/4D sneak peek inside the womb or find out your baby’s gender as early as 16 weeks.
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Offering SonoStream Live to allow anyone from around the world to view your experience with you. Great for deployed soldiers or grandparents that live in another state. Make your appointment today.
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Learn more by liking Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio on Facebook here.
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Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio, www.Cherished4D.com,  (912)358-2030, 7505 Waters Ave, Unit A-5 Savannah, 31406. On Facebook here Cherished 4D Ultrasound Studio is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Update on Savannah-Chatham Public Schools Pre-K Waiting List Problems

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Savannah-Chatham public school system responses to 2013 problems with pre-K waiting list changesPre-K Lottery Update:

We heard from several moms recently who were surprised by changes to the pre-K wait list this year for Savannah-Chatham public schools. Basically,  if your child was accepted to one of your school choices, then he/she was not put on the waiting list for your other choices. In the past, students who were not accepted to their choices were automatically put on the waiting list. You can read parents’ concerns on the SouthernMamas.com Facebook page.

This change negatively affects those parents whose neighborhood school is not a good school, but they were required to make it one of their choices. Now they’ve been accepted to their neighborhood school & were not even put on the waiting list for their school of choice.

District 1 Savannah-Chatham County School Board Member Julie Wade looked into parents’ complaints & below are the answers she received.

Below are responses to Julie Wade’s questions about this year’s changes in the pre-K waiting list process. The repsonses are from David Feliciano, Chief Data and Accountability Officer for Savannah-Chatham Public School System:

There are two places we provided information on choice scenarios for parents to review and be aware of. One was above the choice selection list on the online application. The other reference was on our public website FAQ for Lottery. Since the lottery has completed, the FAQs have been replaced with FAQ for Registration. Below is a copy of the information that was posted:

——
Pre-K school choice scenarios:
1. The family lives in a school attendance zone that has a Pre-K Program.

• If the family only wants to attend the Pre-K program in their school attendance zone, select the school as the first choice selection and leave the other two blank.

• If the family wants to attend a Pre-K program that is not in their school attendance zone, select the school as the first choice selection and select the attendance zone school as the second choice. The third choice can be left blank.

• If the family wants to maximize their opportunity for entry into a Pre-K program, enter three choices with one of them being the attendance zone school.
2. The family lives in a school attendance zone that does not have a Pre-K program.

• If the family only wants to attend a specific Pre-K program, select the school as the first choice selection and leave the other two blank.

• If the family wants to maximize their opportunity for entry into a Pre-K program, enter three choices.

Note: If a family is selected for a Pre-K slot, they will no longer be on any wait list.

——

When the lottery was designed, it was designed to support community schools. Two specific rules impacted parent choices in the lottery:

• Priority is to be given to families that live within the Pre-K Center attendance zone.

• Families are required to list their attendance zone Pre-K Center as one of three choices.

Once a Pre-K slot is provided within the county, families are taken off of any other wait list. This was done to prevent families from holding wait list positions when they are already attending a Pre-K program within SCCPSS.

Q: For those that were not placed anywhere and are on two or three wait lists, can they withdraw from some of the wait lists?

A: Parents can remove their child from any wait list and still remain on others. Only when they accept a slot into a Pre-K program they are removed from others. The family that is on Shuman’s list can call the school and have their child pulled from the wait list. The child will still be listed on the other Pre-K program wait list. We will post this information on the website and provide it to the schools as this particular scenario was not covered.

Options for consideration:

The second rule listed above can be removed from the system. In doing so, families can pick and choose any Pre-K center of their choice, have the option of only entering one, two, or up to three Pre-K center, and don’t have to list their attendance zone school.

The above are responses to District 1 Savannah-Chatham County School Board Member Julie Wade’s questions about this year’s changes in the Pre-K waiting list process. The responses are from David Feliciano, Chief Data and Accountability Officer Savannah-Chatham Public School System.

Maggie’s Morning School in Savannah offers preschool, state-funded FREE Pre-K & summer programs (half-day & full-day child care in Savannah)

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Free State-Funded Pre-K in Savannah: Maggie's Morning School

Worried about where your child is going to attend preschool next year or trying to find a FREE, quality state-funded pre-K program in Savannah?

If so, you’ll be thrilled to learn about Maggie’s Morning School, a NAEYC accredited private, non-profit pre-school. This popular, beloved well-established Savannah school offers hands-on learning and a child-centered approach that encourages exploration and independence through a well prepared environment.

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.

Please come visit the school at 6610 Abercorn St., Savannah, 31405 and see why Maggie’s Morning School is  “The Creative Alternative!”

Upcoming events at Maggie’s Morning School which are open to the public include: 

1) Gently-Used Sale Saturday April 20, 8 a.m. – Noon. School parking lot. Indoors if there is inclement weather.

2) Open House Week – Monday April 22 – Friday April 26. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a..m. and 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Come see what makes Maggie’s “The Creative Alternative” for Pre-school and learn about Maggie’s summer program “Earthworks”.

For the school year, Maggie’s serves children ages 18 months (by Sept 1) through 3 classes of State-Funded (FREE) Pre-K.

For the summer program, Maggie’s serves children 18 months (by Sept 1) through children entering 2nd grade.

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.

My Smart Hands baby sign language classes now available in Savannah to help boost verbal skills & prepare for preschool

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

My Smart Hands baby sign language classes to boost verbal development now available in SavannahImagine communicating with your baby before he or she can even speak. Baby sign language reduces frustration, accelerates verbal development and strengthens cognitive skills. It also enhances child-parent bonding through time spent teaching signs to your baby.

Research shows that pre-verbal infants can communicate through the use of sign language long before they can verbalize their needs. For example, an NIH funded study compared two groups of 11 month old babies. One group was taught baby sign language. The second group was given verbal training. Overall it proved to be the signing babies who were more advanced talkers. A follow up when the babies were 2 years old found that the signers continued to be more verbal. The signing children tested approximately 3 months ahead of the non-signers at 2 years old.*

The authors of the NIH study, followed up with the children at 8 years old. Surprisingly, there was still a difference. Signers showed IQ’s 12 points higher than the non-signers, even though they had long since stopped signing. This put the signers in the top-25% of eight year olds, compared to the non-signers who were close to average.**

My Smart Hands is an international, award winning, 100% ASL program designed to teach sign language to pre-verbal infants and young children. My Smart Hands not only recognizes the value of giving children the gift of self-expression, they also know that baby signing is FUN!

The My Smart Hands program is designed to engage both the minds and the giggles of their students.

My Smart Hands is now available in Savannah! My Smart Hands offers 4 to 8 week classes as well as weekend workshops. The cost ranges from $75 to $130 and includes all handbooks and materials. Evening classes are available and dates, times and locations are determined by consultation with, and consideration for the needs of students.

Want to join My Smart Hands? See the Savannah My Smart Hands website  by clicking here for detailed information on the courses themselves, to contact My Smart Hands with any questions or to sign up. So go ahead, take a peek! Sign up for a few giggles for you and your little one. My Smart Hands can’t wait to meet you!

Please “like” My Smart Hands in Savannah on Facebook by clicking here to stay connected.

My Smart Hands, www.mysmarthandswithsundi.com, On Facebook here, My Smart Hands is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

* Susan W. Goodwyn, Linda P. Acredolo and Catherine A. Brown. Impact of Symbolic Gesturing on Early Language Development, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 24, 81-103 (2000).

** Linda P. Acredolo, and Susan W. Goodwyn, The Longterm Impact of Symbolic Gesturing During Infancy on IQ at Age 8, International Conference on Infant Studies (July 18, 2000: Brighton, UK)

You’re invited: JEA Preschool Meet & Greet for prospective parents & caregivers on April 25, Savannah

Monday, April 8th, 2013

JEA Preschool Savannah will host Meet & Greet March 20Not sure where to send your child to preschool for the upcoming school year 2013-14? Check out the new JEA Preschool Savannah , which will host a Meet and Greet for prospective parents and caregivers at 5:30 PM Thurs. April 25 2013.

This dynamic new preschool, located at the Jewish Educational Alliance at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors to children ages 16 months to 4 years in August, 2013. Enrollment is now open for all classes.

During the Meet and Greet, attendees will have an opportunity to meet preschool director Jodi Sadler and the teaching staff, view model classroom furnishings and learn about the enriched preschool JEA Camp Savannah program for 3 and 4 year olds. The evening will include a light snacks; free childcare will be available. Reservations are required. Please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228) or email preschool@savj.org  to reserve a spot.

JEA Preschool Savannah has been in the planning stages for the past two years. The school was created to provide for the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The age-appropriate curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, will focus on literacy, writing, math, science, music, art and movement all within the special facilities of the JEA.

“I am truly excited about the creation of our program of excellence, JEA Preschool Savannah,” said Sadler, a longtime educator and former assistant principal at Chatham Academy. “When parents and children walk into the school, I want them to see and feel two things: love and security. I know that the quality of the program, excellence of the facilities, and perfect location will make this one of the most attractive and dynamic programs in the area.”

The dynamic preschool will include spacious classrooms and an innovative outdoor space where children can explore, interact with and connect to the environment. The preschool’s core curriculum will be available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Children have the option of attending three or five days per week. Extended hours are available daily as early as 7 a.m. and until 6 p.m. to serve the needs of working families.

JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

About JEA Preschool Savannah
JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013. The school, which will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years, focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting. The core curriculum, led by qualified and experienced teachers, is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

You’re invited: Marriage Conference @ Bull Street Baptist Church, Savannah

Sunday, April 7th, 2013

You're invited: Bull Street Baptist Church Marriage ConferenceBull Street Baptist Church is hosting a special event, ‘God on Marriage and Family’ with speaker Dr. Daniel Akin (president of Southeastern Theological Seminary).

The event will be Saturday, May 11th, from 3pm-8pm. Cost is $20 per person, and $5 for child care (per child). Dinner is included.

Dr. Daniel Akin will be speaking on topics such as: ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’, ‘Fanning the Flames of Romance’, ‘Keys for Effective Communication’ and a few others.

The event is open to the public. To register, visit the church web site by clicking here or by coming to the church office @ 17 E. Anderson St. Savannah, 31401, M-F, 10a-5p.

Bull Street Baptist Church, 17 E. Anderson St. Savannah, 31401 tel. (912) 236-1511, www.bullstreet.org. Bull Street Baptist Church is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

You’re invited: FREE screening of the documentary “The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia”, Savannah

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

FREE Dyslexia event Savannah

You’re invited: Pooler MOPS FREE Preschool Fair

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

Confused about which preschool is best for your child?

Be sure to check out the Pooler MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) Free Preschool Fair, 9:30-11:30 AM February 27 2013.

It will be held at First Presbyterian of Pooler, 305 HWY 80SE, Pooler.

Parents are invited to come to receive information to make preschool decisions! You do not have to be a MOPS member to attend!

For more info, please email: poolermops@gmail.com

Enrollment Now Open for JEA Preschool Savannah, Opening August 2013

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

We’re thrilled to tell you about a new Savannah preschool opening this year in a centrally-located area.

The JEA Preschool Savannah, located in the Jewish Educational Alliance community center at 5111 Abercorn Street, will open its doors in August 2013!

Enrollment is now open. The registration forms are available for download on the JEA Preschool Savannah website. Visit it by clicking here.

The new preschool will include renovated and spacious classrooms and outdoor learning space where children will participate in hands-on learning.

The school will serve the needs of children ages 16 months through 4 years.

The curriculum focuses on the social, emotional and cognitive growth of young children in a Judaic setting led by qualified and experienced teachers.

The core program is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Extended hours are available daily from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

JEA Preschool Savannah is open to both JEA members and non members.

For more information on JEA Preschool Savannah, please call the Director Jodi Sadler at 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  or visit www.savannahjea.org .

JEA Preschool Savannah, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, www.savannahjea.org, 912-355-8111 (ext. 228), email preschool@savj.org  JEA Preschool is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Georgia’s FREE Pre-K Programs in Savannah for 2013-14

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013


Georgia’s FREE Pre-K Program is not only available at public schools.

Many private child-care centers in Savannah also offer Georgia’s FREE Pre-K Program including Maggies’ Morning School, Savannah Youth University, Candler’s The Children’s House, and YMCA Childcare Plus: but many have a different application process than that @ Savannah-Chatham public schools. If you’re interested in a private child care that has it, call the school to find out when their applications are due. Many are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Below are a list of Savannah-area child-care centers that offer the FREE Georgia Pre-K Program (A big thank you to SouthernMamas reader Lynn Adams for compiling this list).

To participate in the Pre-K Program, children must be four years of age* on or before September 1, 2013, and must be a resident of Chatham County.

Click here for more info on Georgia’s FREE Pre-K program.

Locating a Georgia’s Pre-K Program
To locate a Georgia’s Pre-K Program, use the online Provider Search (instructions provided on the search page), contact the Georgia’s Source for Finding Quality Child Care toll-free at 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (877-255-4254) to speak with a child care resource and referral consultant, or call Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning at 404-656-5957 (toll-free at 1-888-4GA-PREK) and ask for the Pre-K consultant of the day.

Savannah-area child care centers that offer Georgia’s FREE Pre-K Program

“In His Arms” Educational Center 7816 Hwy 80 East Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 897-6826

ABC Child Care Center #1 1106 E. 48th Street Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 355-1442

A. J. Ward Montessori Preschool, Inc. 7501 Waters Avenue Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 355-1900

Another Adventure Day Care 8805 White Bluff Rd. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 927-4313

Bright Horizons Little One Center 1300 East 66th Street Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 303-0668

Childcare Network #20 12441 White Bluff Rd. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 925-7338

Childcare Network #21 7360 Hodgson Memorial Dr. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 355-2299

Childcare Network #22 350 Johnny Mercer Boulevard Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 897-0085

Children’s House 600 E. 7lst St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 819-7200

El Shaddai Academy 5650 Skidaway Rd. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 351-0064

EOA Head Start and Early Administration Building 1120 May Street Savannah GA Head Start (912) 238-2865

First Steps Preschool of Pooler 205 N. Skinner Avenue Pooler Child Care Learning Center (912) 341-8012

Hunter Army Airfield Child Development Services 1284 Middleground Rd. Savannah Department of Defense (912) 315-9034

Kicklighter Academy 7219 Seawright Dr. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 355-7633

Little Country Day Care Preschool #1 7951 Hwy. 21 Port Wentworth Child Care Learning Center (912) 844-0042

Little Miracles Learning Center 4 Chestnut St. Bloomingdale Child Care Learning Center (912) 748-3686

Lady Bamford Early Childhood Education Center 1410 Richards Street Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 944-1671

Dutchtown Childrens Center 911 Dutchtown Rd. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 925-4566

Savannah Youth University 204 Tibet Ave. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 927-9537

Maggie’s Morning School 6610 Abercorn St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 352-8404
Terry’s Childcare and Learning Center 1728 Staley Ave. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 233-5868

West Broad Street YMCA Early Learning Center 1110 May St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 233-1951

West Chatham YMCA Child Learning Center 165 Isaac G Laroche Drive Pooler Child Care Learning Center (912) 748-1408

Windsor Forest High School 12419 Largo Dr. Savannah Local School System (912) 395-3400

Windy’s Preschool 425 Tattnall St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 234-0575

Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School 151 Coach Joe Turner Drive Savannah Local School System (912) 395-6750

Wright’s Child Care 1121 E. 35th St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 233-4306

YMCA Childcare Plus 6400 Habersham St. Savannah Child Care Learning Center (912) 354-6223

Georgia’s FREE Pre-K Program @ Savannah-Chatham Public Schools

Pre-K Lottery Applications for the 2013-2014 school year at Savannah-Chatham public schools will be available at Savannah-Chatham school sites and online on February 25, 2013. The deadline to submit the application is March 22, 2013.

The FREE Georgia pre-k program is a full-day program available at some public and private schools.

To participate in the Pre-K Program, children must be four years of age* on or before September 1, 2013, and must be a resident of Chatham County.

In order to apply for the lottery, parents must provide the following documentation to the school prior to the March 22, 2013 deadline:

Proof of Residence (current gas, water, electric bill, or lease)
Certified Birth Certificate
*Five-year-old children who have not previously attended the Pre-K program and who have developmental delays that impact their readiness for school may also enroll at the request of their parents.

Registration for FREE Pre-K @ Savannah-Chatham Public Schools

After your child is selected in the lottery, you will have until 5/3/2013 to register your child. After that date, schools begin calling children from the Wait List.

If your child is on the Wait List and you are contacted about an open space, you will have 48 hours to register your child. After that time, schools call the next child on the Wait List.

Parents must provide the following documentation at registration:

Proof of Residence (current gas, water, electric bill, or lease)
Certified Birth Certificate
GA Certificate of Immunization (Form 3231)
GA Ear, Eye and Dental Certificate (EED)
Social Security Card
IF APPLICABLE, proof of the following: (food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, TANF, Peachcare for Kids)

For a list of pre-K sites @ Savannah-Chatham public schools, click here.

Pre-K classes @ Savannah-Chatham public schools

The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System has 59 Georgia Lottery funded Pre-K classes with additional classes at Coastal Empire Montessori. The Pre-Kindergarten program provides services to age eligible four year olds (must be four years of age on or before September 1 of the school year) residing in Chatham County. Our program provides a full day (6.5 hours) of appropriate instructional services to students for the regular school calendar year. The purpose of the Pre-K Program is school readiness and transition to Kindergarten for success in later school years.

With the exception of our two Montessori schools, all of our classes use the High Scope Curriculum. All teachers are certified with at least a four-year degree in Early Childhood or Elementary Education. Teachers provide instructional activities and learning experiences in the areas of language/literacy, math, art, science, social studies and creative expressions. There is a minimum of 5.0 hours of instruction per day. The remaining hours (1.5) of the instructional day includes rest/nap, meals and outside play. Field trips are an integral part of the Pre-K experience.

A maximum of twenty-two (22) students receive services in each class. More information about the Georgia Lottery funded Pre-kindergarten Program can be obtained by going to www.decal.ga.gov .

For more info contact:
Mrs. LaWanda Ransom
Project Director, Pre-Kindergarten
208 Bull Street, Room 210
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Phone: (912) 395-1154
Fax: (912) 201-4166
Email: lawanda.ransom@sccpss.com

Sitter Swap @ Sara Jane Children’s Boutique, Savannah, for parents & baby-sitters

Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

We love this! A Sitter Swap – the perfect way to find a reliable babysitter!

Join Sara Jane Children’s Boutique for their very first Sitter Swap, 5-7 PM Wed. Feb. 6, 2013! We’ve all had those mommy moments when you’ve needed that last minute sitter and wish we had that magic book of reliable babysitters to go to. Voila- that’s where Sara Jane’s Sitter Swap comes in.

Moms (or Dads…. Grandparents, or friends are welcome too!!) best part is all you have to do is show up! That’s right…. Sara Jane’s will have fun flirty drinks, snacks, and showcase all their fabulous spring fashions and have giveaways (yes, giveaways!!) And you get to go home with your very own look book of all the attending babysitters! (can’t get much better than that) All Sara Jane asks is please RSVP so they can have enough books. So Please RSVP via email sarajanekids@comcast.net or phone 912-234-5266

Babysitters: Please send a picture, along with your age, where you attend school, your telephone number, availability, email address, references, experience, and anything else special that would make you stand out as a great babysitter! Please send to sarajanekids@comcast.net

sara jane children’s boutique, 202 East 37th St., Savannah, Ga. 31401, 912-234-5266, email sarajanekids@comcast.net, http://sarajane.myshopify.com/ Sara Jane Children’s Boutique is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

Lowcountry Real Diaper Circle offers cloth diapering classes & support in Savannah & the Lowcountry

Sunday, January 13th, 2013

Interested in going the cloth diaper route rather than use disposables on your baby?

Check out Lowcountry Real Diaper Circle which is part of The Real Diaper Association, a collective non-profit organization in which parents and small businesses take the lead in creating a cultural shift to increase the use of simple, reusable cloth diapers.

The Real Diaper Association connects current cloth diapering parents to the long history of cloth diapering. Cloth diapers are real diapers. The Association organizes local advocates and activists for cloth diapers through a member-supported resource center which plans campaigns, trains organizers, distributes educational information, supports local groups, and connects users to the Cloth Diaper industry.

Local Real Diaper Circles such as the Lowcountry Real Diaper Circle reach users face-to-face with knowledge and tools to make cloth diapering accessible and acceptable to U.S. parents, who have the power to change the world one baby at a time.

Click here for the group’s facebook page and click here for their upcoming events. The circle offers a Wool 101 class  and a Cloth Diapering 101 class . The also host a regular Trivia Night.

Low Country Real Diaper Circle, www.realdiaperassociation.org

Sibshop – for Siblings of Children with Special Needs, Feb. 16, Savannah

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

The Matthew Reardon Center for Autism will be hosting a Sibshop on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013 from 10am-2pm at The Chatham Academy.

This Sibshop is a FUN interactive workshop for kids ages 8-13 who have a sibling with special needs.

Limited Space available. The cost of the workshop is $10 and includes all materials and lunch. There are a limited amount of scholarships available on a first come, first serve basis.

This is an extra special opportunity since this workshop will be led by Don Meyer, the founder of Sibshops. This will serve as a demonstratioin workshop for professionals who are learning to plan and facilitate their own Sibshops. The Matthew Reardon Center is very excited to be learning from him and to host more Sibshops in our area in the future.

Lunch will be provided to the kids during the Sibshop. If your child has a food allergy or dietary restrictions it may be best for them to bring a lunch from home.

If you have questions or need more information contact Jennifer McGee, LPC at jennifermcgee@matthewreardon.org  or 912.355.9098

Chatham Academy, 4 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd, Savannah, 31416, http://savannahsibshop.eventbrite.com/#

You’re invited: Sitter Swap @ Sara Jane Children’s Boutique, Savannah for parents & babysitters

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

We love this! A Sitter Swap – the perfect way to find a reliable babysitter!

Join Sara Jane Children’s Boutique for their very first Sitter Swap, 5-7 PM Wed. Feb. 6, 2013! We’ve all had those mommy moments when you’ve needed that last minute sitter and wish we had that magic book of reliable babysitters to go to. Voila- that’s where Sara Jane’s Sitter Swap comes in.

Moms (or Dads…. Grandparents, or friends are welcome too!!) best part is all you have to do is show up! That’s right…. Sara Jane’s will have fun flirty drinks, snacks, and showcase all their fabulous spring fashions and have giveaways (yes, giveaways!!) And you get to go home with your very own look book of all the attending babysitters! (can’t get much better than that) All Sara Jane asks is please RSVP so they can have enough books. So Please RSVP via email sarajanekids@comcast.net  or phone 912-234-5266

Babysitters: Please send a picture, along with your age, where you attend school, your telephone number, availability, email address, references, experience, and anything else special that would make you stand out as a great babysitter! Please send to sarajanekids@comcast.net

sara jane children’s boutique, 202 East 37th St., Savannah, Ga. 31401, 912-234-5266, email sarajanekids@comcast.net, http://sarajane.myshopify.com/ Sara Jane Children’s Boutique is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.

New Music with Mar parent-&-me music & movement sessions in Pooler, Rincon & on Skidaway Island

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012

We’re thrilled to share with that the popular Music with Mar classes will start in January 2013 in Pooler, Rincon & on Skidaway Island, in addition the Savannah class.

Music with Mar is a fun & smart music & movement parent-and-me class.

Classes in Savannah:
11 AM Tuesdays in the music room of St James Catholic Church (8412 Whitfield Ave. Fronts on Montgomery Cross Road), Savannah;

Classes in Pooler

9:30 AM Mondays @ St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Pooler

Classes on Skidaway Island, Savannah

1 PM Tuesdays, Skidaway Island Presbyterian Preschool

Classes in Rincon

10 AM Wednesdays  in the Ashley Education Building at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Rincon

Classes start in January 2013

For children ages 6 months-6 years old and a parent/caregiver. Cost is $7/class per family (up to 4 children) or a block of 5 classes (to be used any time during a 2 month period) is $30. For more information, email megank@musicwithmar.com . “Like” Music with Mar on Facebook by clicking here to stay updated on classes.

Music with Mar is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser, On Facebook here.  Email megank@musicwithmar.com .

New K-12 Savannah Charter School Opening K-6 in Fall of 2013

Monday, December 17th, 2012

Enrollment for the new Savannah charter school – Savannah Classical Academy – is under way for the 2013-2014 school year.

Enrollment at the new charter is December 8, 2012 – February 22, 2013.

Applications available online at www.savannahclassicalacademy.org  or at the following locations starting January 7th, 2013:
Mondays- Carnegie Library 5:30pm-7:30pm
Wednesdays- Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church 5:30-7:30pm
Saturdays-W.W. Law Community Center 12-2pm

Contact: Savannah Classical Academy at 912.398.2391 info@savannahclassicalacademy.org

AT A GLANCE
• Tuition-free, public charter school
• Opening – August 2013
• Serving students in Savannah/Chatham County
• Initially serving grades K-6; serving grades K-12 by 2019
• Key characteristics and components:
o Based on a classical liberal arts model with a strong civics component
o Explicit phonics for teaching of reading
o Teaching of Latin
o School culture demanding moral virtue, decorum, respect, discipline, and studiousness among students and faculty

Savannah Classical Academy will be located at the site of the former St. Pius High School, 705 Anderson St. For more info, click here.

FREE talk on your child’s speech & language development @ The Sandbox, Hilton Head Is.

Wednesday, November 14th, 2012

You’re invited to a talk by Savannah-area speech-language pathologist Kim Rowe, MA, CCC-SLP  on Creating a Language Rich Environment at 10:30 AM Friday at The Sandbox Children’s Museum on Hilton Head Is.

The talk is part of the museum’s Parents 411 series. The talk is free with admission to the museum.

Kim is the creative force behind a Web site called Little Stories , which offers information and support to families interested in early speech and language development. Little Stories has something for everyone, whether your child is having difficulty learning language or is learning language easily.

Little Stories will be posting new information weekly, so be sure to subscribe to the blog or like Little Stories on Facebook here to get updates. You can follow Little Stories via Twitter @lilSTORIESblog

The Sandbox Children’s Museum is at 18A Pope Ave., Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 (843) 842-7645, www.thesandbox.org/

Parents Night Out/Fall Harvest Festival, Savannah

Friday, October 12th, 2012

Ready for a night on the town without the kiddos? Mark your calendars! You’re invited to take advantage of  Parents Night Out/Fall Harvest Festival on Friday, October 19 from 6 to 10PM at Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah.

The children will play outdoor games then come inside for more fun, crafts, and movies. Pizza and popcorn provided. $20 for the first child, $10 for additional children from the same household.

Open to the public! RSVP to Jolene Byrne at re@uusavannah.org

Event schedule for the children:

Outside Activities in the square to start the evening:
Pumpkin Rolling Race
Apple BobbingGame of Red Rover
Needle in a Haystack (Wheelbarrow of Hay with Treats Hidden Inside)
Scarecrow Dress Up Race

Indoor Activities:
Pizza and Popcorn
Pumpkin Painting / Decorating
Leaf Transfers
Duct Tape Flower Pens in Fall Colors
Toilet Paper Roll Halloween Creatures
Fall Branch Weaving
In the Movie Room:
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and E.T.
Closing Activity:
Spooky stories (not too scary) and songs by lantern light.

The nursery will be open for the youngest children.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah, www.uusavannah.org, 311 East Harris St. Troup Square, Savannah, 31401, email RE@uusavannah.org