Magic Penny

The newest in adorable songs our kids are singing: Magic Penny Notes: words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1955 and 1958 Northern Music Corporation, renewed 1986. a.k.a. "Love Is Something." Despite the later copyright dates, this song was actually written while Malvina's daughter was at a junior high school dance, so around 1949. Love is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, You end up having more. It's just like a magic penny, Hold it tight and you won't have any. Lend it, spend it, and you'll have so many They'll roll all over the floor. For love is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, You end up having more. Money's dandy and we like to use it,1 But love is better if you don't refuse it. It's a treasure and you'll never lose it Unless you lock up your door. For love is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, You end up having more. So let's go dancing till the break of day, And if there's a piper, we can pay. For love is something if you give it away, You end up having more. For love is something if you give it away, Give it away, give it away. Love is something if you give it away, You end up having more.

Join the E-Mail Group!

Kristin set up a google group for the Friends Parents Association so that we can have some regular communication that doesn't have to go through James. It is possible to set the e-mail options to "digest" if you want to only get one message a day. Please, please, please take the time to "join" so that we can find more ways to build our FSP community and share information! Sign up info is here (I think) or you'll find an invitation deep in your email box!

Call for Caterers

Hello all, I am coordinating the brunch for the silent auction this year. I am in the process of hiring a caterer to do a portion and wondered if anyone in our community was a caterer before committing to someone else. Not all the parents have become members of the group yet, so this email won't reach everyone, but if you know of anyone let me know. ~Kristin (e-mail Kristin @ ksimskastelein@gmail.com)

No Child Left Inside

I have a summary of the hi/tech no/tech talk and some links to the no child left inside movement on my parenting for peace blog...

The importance of recess

I love that FSP is committed to providing recess to all kids, even through middle school - the NYT reports that there is data to support that recess is good for kids learning! They suggest that kids never be kept in from recess as discipline, because it undermines their academic performance. NYT, February 24, 2009 WELL Blog The 3 R’s? A Fourth Is Crucial, Too: Recess By TARA PARKER-POPE http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/24/health/24well.html

No School Today?

It looks like we are going to have another day without school -- the GBSD is closed. We should sort out a way to help each other with childcare in these circumstances... in the meantime, does anyone have ideas for helping kids reconnect?

Summer Camp Planning Already?

It is crazy to think that summer planning happens in February, but it does. The Friends Camp is clearly the best option :-), but once that's run out, what are other ideas? I'll post some links, but I thought this might be a good one for some creative planning -- although it is called "girl power" in the post, it could easily work as preschool power, play power or any other cool configuration we can think of. . .

From the Enough is Enough blog (via the Mojo Mom blog): GIRL POWER CAMP 2009! Invite 5 girls to participate (helps if they know each other at least a little so they’re excited to spend a week together). Ask each mom to take all 5 girls for just one day during a week of the summer. Plan fun activities (bookclub, journal writing, a compliments box where the girls can write nice things about each other, pool time, outside play time, craft activities, cooking…whatever you’re in the mood for), and you’re off and running. I am in love with this idea. It’s creative, keeps the girls moving, builds on their self esteem and a sense of community, and it’s FREE! We’re doing one week of Girl Power camp this summer as an experiment. My daughter is already so excited–it’s like a week of playdates–what’s not to love? Plus, it provides me with 4 work days where I don’t have to arrange or pay for childcare. In this economy, what could be better? And as a super summer bonus, I can channel my inner camp counselor…but just for one day. Almost makes me excited about summer again.

More area camps... -- Audobon Camp -- Pineland Farm Camp -- Art Museum Camp (10 - 3) -- RippleEffect Kayak Camp -- -- Portland Pottery Camp Children's Musuem Camps It would be great if folks want to post reviews, tips, other suggestions, etc!

Real Life Real Talk Events

Planned Parenthood's Real Life Real Talk program is offering a special workshop at FSP on March 11th -- bring your questions and be ready to learn about the questions you didn't even know you should have :-)

They are also offering a number of fascinating sounding community events this spring, including:

Self Defense – Self Awareness for Women and Girls With Clara Porter, MSW Thursdays, March 5 and 12 6:00-8:00 pm East Tower Learning Resource Center, Maine Medical Center 22 Bramhall St., Portland

Is This Love: Adolescents and Dating Violence Join Real Life. Real Talk. and Planned Parenthood of Northern New England for a Professional Training Our keynote speaker is Vicki Crompton, author of Saving Beauty from the Beast: How to Protect Your Daughter from an Unhealthy Relationship Thursday, March 19 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm Earn 3 CEUs $ 40.00 registration fee For more information please visit this page.

Free Parent Night With Vicki Crompton, author of Saving Beauty from the Beast Thursday, March 19 7:00-9:00 pm Portland High School Auditorium

Sexuality and Health, Women & Girls—A Training for Health Professionals With Gina Ogden, PhD Friday, April 3 9:00 am – 2:00 pm $60 per person, discounts available for groups of 3 or more

The Heart and Soul of Sex With Gina Ogden, PhD Friday, April 3 7:00-8:00 pm Charles A. Dana Center Auditorium Maine Medical Center 22 Bramhall St., Portland

Real Life…Girl Talk: A Conversation With Gina Ogden, PhD Saturday, April 4 10:00 am – 3:00 pm True North Health Center Women: $25; Girls: $15 (scholarships available)

An Interesting Looking Event @ Merriconeag

Planting the Seeds of Kindness: Creative Ways to Work with Aggression in Children A public talk by Kim John Payne (www.thechildtoday.com) Wednesday, March 4, 7:00 PM Community Hall Merriconeag Waldorf School, 57 Desert Road, Freeport

Girls, Boys and Gender Specific Programming

What is it to offer an anti-sexist enviornment? Barrie Thorne, in her groundbreaking book, Gender Play, on how kids police gender expression with each other, suggests that when teachers and adults refrain from using sex as a major organizing system or for imputing a lot of meaning to gender, kids also deflect attention -- it becomes a less important trait for organizing behavior, play, etc. On the other hand, psychologists like Lyn Mikel Brown, argue that the cultural context that girls and boys grow up in shapes their development and lived experience in particularly gendered ways. Are there strategies for downplaying gender and being conscious about gender and sexism all at once? Two Maine organizations specialize in thinking about anti-sexism in gender specific ways. Hardy Girls, Healthy Women will be offering a workshop for adults who work with girls to build programs that build on girls strengths, and help girls see themselves as strong and capable problem solvers (rather than the endless labeling of "mean girls" to pre-adolescent and teen girls).

Boys To Men offers similar programming for boys and adults who work with boys, and is currently seeking feedback to help them plan the 2009 conference.

I am grateful for the anti-sexist tradition of Quakers and the ideals of seeing the unique light in each individual and am encouraged by the pretty big range of ways of doing gender that kids express at Friends... Perhaps they will grow up "Free to Be You and Me" -- but still, they have to negotiate the larger society in all sorts of ways and and I really welcome all strategies for building consciousness and skills.

FSP Auction Update!

The Auction Committee is churning along, bringing in tons of fabulous donations.  Check out a sample listing on our newly inaugurated website, found under the Events listing on the FSP website!  More listings to come!  After the donation cutoff date (March 4th) the list will be completed and a proxy bidding sheet will be available online for those who will not be able to attend the auction.  Keep checking in to see the developments....

First Friday Art Walk - from Ellie

Please help spread the word that this Friday's "First Friday" Art Walk in Portland will feature the Youth Boatbuilders Workshop at the Compass Project (Ellie's husband, Clint's gig) for the first time. Their shop will be open 5-8pm and there will be coffee by CBD and Baked yummies by 2 Fat Cats. FYI: Compass Project is donating a dory for the FSP Auction this April. Hope to see some of you there! Compass Project Address is at 170 Anderson Street (off Cove, near U-haul/Marginal Way area) for more info: 774-0682, or compassproject.org (Clint and I are singing and I'm playing guitar on their promotional video!) Ellie