For Middle School Girls

Join Cornerstones of Science and Dream Big!
Explore Science Writing & Science Career Opportunities
An evening for middle and high school girls
Tuesday October 6, 2009, 6:00-8:00pm
Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St., Freeport, ME
RSVP requested

Click here for more information

Portland Public Library is a member of the Cornerstones of Science Partnership.

Cumberland Fair & Picture Books

The Cumberland Fair is open -- buy a bracelet for $15.00 and ride all you want... Monday (today), Wednesday or Thursday... We've also found a couple of great picture books about the fair.  Our favorite is A Net of Stars by Maine author Jennifer Jacobson.   Also by a Maine Author, Mary Train, is Time for the Fair. 

More generally for fall, I adore Lynn Plourde's book Wild Child, and am always inspired by Pumpkins by Mary Lyn Ray.  The Center for Children's Books offers bibliographies on Autumn and Art, Leaves are Falling, Native American Fiction and Non-Fiction. 

What books do you go back to, as the air chills? 

CURIOUS CITY DOINGS : Minli's Journey, Not Grace's Journey

Kim Simmons has sent you a link to a blog:

Kristin, from Curious City, is children's book event planner extraordinaire. She helped with some of our garden-stories and is filled with incredible enthusiasm for kids and books. Grace Lin is an amazing author and I can't wait to explore what they've put together, together.

Blog: CURIOUS CITY DOINGS
Post: Minli's Journey, Not Grace's Journey
Link: http://curiouscitydoings.blogspot.com/2009/08/minlis-journey-not-graces-journey.html

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MojoMom : HOW to raise a Free-Range Kid

Kim has sent you a link to a blog:

I'm curious how others feel about this -- are things different for us here in Maine? How is it to be on an island? Do you feel like your kids are more constrained than you were, and for the better or the worse?

Blog: MojoMom
Post: HOW to raise a Free-Range Kid
Link: http://mojomom.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-raise-free-range-kid.html

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Real Life Real Talk Fall 09

Fwd: Great Fall Programming for Parents and Providers

This fall Prevention. Action. Change. is offering a host of programs geared towards parents and their teens and pre-teens. In collaboration with Real Life Real Talk,, we are now offering both workshops for Mothers and Daughters and a safety and self defense course for Parents and Sons! (see brochure above) Fall Parent/Child Safety and Self Defense Courses: These courses raise safety awareness and enhance prevention, verbal, and physical skills while building relationships and encouraging intergenerational understanding. All classes open to youth and a parent or other important adult.

Maine Health Learning Resource Centers: FREE! Tuesdays 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. for parents and youth ages 10 to 14 October 6 & 13 (girls) / October 20 & 27 (boys) Stroudwater Station (1577 Congress St, 2nd floor) – Portland To register call: 1-866-609-5183

Portland Adult Education: Mother Daughter Self Defense ages 14 & up Thursdays Oct. 22 & 29, 6:00 to 8:00pm @PATHS, Allen Avenue, Portland Cost: $29/residents, $34/non residents To register call: 775-0432 or visit: www.portlandadulted.org

YMCA of Greater Portland: Mother Daughter Self Defense Saturday November 14, 10am to 3pm For more information & to register call: 874-1112

Adult Women’s Self Defense Courses: (ages 16 and up) Raise your awareness, enhance your safety skills and discover strengths you never knew you had! YMCA of Greater Portland: Mondays Nov. 2 – Dec. 14, 6 to 7:30pm 70 Forest Avenue, Portland To register call: 874-1112

Freeport Community Education: Thursdays Nov. 5 – 19, 6 to 8pm Morse Street School, Freeport, Cost: $45. To register call: 865-6171

Interested in a safety or self care/stress reduction workshop for your group or office? Contact us. Thank you! Clara Porter, MSW Program Director Prevention. Action. Change. (207) 232-0484 "Building Skills to End Violence"

Teaching Kids to Respond to Hate Language (kim's getting a little philosophical here)

Peace and Equality are core Quaker values, and for many of us, present core challenges in our families.  We want our kids to be assertive, independent, authentic, and emotionally expressive, but  within the boundaries of what feels safe and appropriate to our unique temperments and family situations. We want our children to be accepting of all kinds of people and cultures and traditions and also to accept our own families standards of behaviors and cultures and traditions as their own.  

In my family, talking about peacemaking is often easier than practicing it. I am so grateful for the peace tables and emerging language of peacemaking that is coming home from school.  For us, peacemaking is often about the daily power struggles that make up living with other people.  But, in our larger world, kids are exposed to all kinds of adult behaviors that encourage or model violence, bullying, and hate.

Currently, the advertising asking Maine people to repeal the law granting marriage equality is an example of adults engaging in persuasive tactics that are based on bullying language.  Bill Nemitz's column today expresses these concerns beautifully. (see the Bangor Daily news editorial questioning the claim that children will be indoctrinated in school, or the memorandum from Maine's Attorney General, Speaker of the House and President of the Senate refuting aspects of the ads, to see some ads, click here.) 

 How do we help our children respond to bias and hate in the larger world? What is the right amount of information to give them and the right amount to ask of them? And, for those of us who occupy a privileged place in the world of marriage, how can we be the best possible allies to all the families in our community and teach our children not to be bystanders when they hear biased attacks or hate language? 

I posted some resources specific to this question on my Parenting for Peace Blog (search for marriage equality) but I think there are deeper questions and answers about how we respond to hate with love, and I'd be so curious to hear others thoughts and strategies. 

Wolfe's Neck Adventure on October 9th (a no-school day at FSP)

Hello Friends, 

We are again organizing a trip to Wolfe's Neck Farm for the in-service day (teachers in school, kids not) on October 9th.   The event starts at 10am, and involves a barnyard tour and pumpkin hayride. The hayride will include our pumpkin science lesson, and the kids will be able to bring home a pumpkin. Everyone will get a locally grown apple to snack on for the hayride back to the farm!  Families are encouraged to bring picnics and stay for lunch and even take advantage of the hiking trails or nearby Wolfe's Neck State Park . 

(I am wondering if older kids might be more interested in letterboxing or geocaching at Wolfe's Neck Farm instead -- if your family would prefer that, we could still all convene for a picnic... please let me know). 

The cost is $5.00 per person and we're encouraging carpooling, helping friends with childcare, etc.   

We do not need a firm commitment now, but the Wolfe's Neck folks would really appreciate an estimate of how many people are coming so they can be prepared for us... If you know that you ARE coming, please e-mail kim @ kcs@maine.rr.com 

Hope to see many of you there -- in the past it has been a great chance for parents to get to know one another while kids have space to romp. 

Fwd: HealthyStuff.org - new searchable database launched!

There is no need or place for toxic chemicals in our everyday, household items. We can't shop our way out of the problem - we need policy reform - but here is a data-base that can help us avoid some of the bad chemicals in the meantime...

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	Environmental Health Strategy Center Preventing harm where we live, work and play www.preventharm.org  Find out What's in Your Stuff...
	New searchable web-site launched!        16 September 2009 Statement of Mike Belliveau, Executive Director, Environmental Health  Strategy Center  on the New Database on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products: www.healthystuff.org Parents, women, pet lovers, and all who love our health and well-being  will appreciate this terrific new consumer guide from our friends at  the Ecology Center in Michigan. "HealthyStuff.org" reports the results of more than 15,000 tests for  toxic chemicals found in 900+ common consumer products, ranging from  women's handbags to dog chew toys, and from car seats to back-to- school supplies. The findings are shocking.  Toxic metals like lead and toxic plastic  additives like brominated flame retardants are frequently detected in  brand name products. HealthyStuff.org shines a light on the badly broken chemical safety  system in the United States.  The fact that you can buy a product off  the shelf does not mean that any government agency has ever approved  its chemical ingredients for safety. In fact, despite the known use of more than 60,000 chemicals, the U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has only restricted 5 dangerous  chemicals under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976  (TSCA).  EPA has ordered health and safety testing for 200 chemicals  in the 33 years since TSCA became law.  Most remain untested. HealthyStuff.org proves the wisdom of the Maine Legislature and  Governor John Baldacci when they passed Maine's kid-safe products act  in 2008, sponsored by Rep. Hannah Pingree.  In July 2009, the Maine  Department of Environmental Protection took the first step to  implement Maine's new chemical policy by formally identifying more  than 1,700 "Chemicals of High Concern" based on known health hazards. Now Maine should move rapidly to replace the use of dangerous  chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) with safer alternatives.  BPA is  widely used in baby food jars and infant formula cans even though more  then 200 studies points to hormone disrupting effects that predispose  baby animals to prostate cancer and breast cancer later in life. And Congress, with leadership from Maine's delegation, needs to take  up and pass chemical safety reform by overhauling TSCA.  We all  deserve healthy stuff for a change.		Links Environmental Health Strategy Center  www.preventharm.org Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine www.cleanandhealthyme.org
	©2009 Environmental Health Strategy Center 565 Congress St., Ste. 204, Portland, ME 04101 (207) 699-5795 (main), www.preventharm.org Unsubscribe from email list. Did you receive this email from a friend? Subscribe here.

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HenryFest this Sunday

Several FSP parents have asked me to share news of HenryFest.  It is being held at Skyline Farms, this Sunday (Sept 20), 2 - 7pm and sounds like a blast! 

Fwd: Halloween Harvest Workshop 2009! (from KaleidoArts)

> Whether you are interested in creating some whimsical seasonal decor
> or are gearing up for a night of trick-or-treating, we have fun
> projects in store for you!
>
> All ages are invited, from 6 through adult!
>
> Make a batty t-shirt, a mummy family, embellished acorns, decorative
> autumn leaves, edible witch hats, and lots more!
>
> Saturday October 17 10 am to noon
>
> 790 Stevens Avenue, Portland
>
> email us to ask any questions or to register!
> (or call 773-2255)
>
>
> cost is $18 per person, including all supplies

Outing Club Maine Harvest Dinner & Bradbury Mountain Hike

You may have heard that the Outing Club is hosting a Maine Harvest Dinner October 16th at school.  It will feature great local food, fabulous local music, friends, and fun, including press-your-own cider.  Tickets are very limited, and are $15 for adults, $5 for children.   You should contact the office soon if you'd like to attend. The first Outing Club activity is a Bradbury Mountain hike on September 28th -- if your child (or you) would like to join, come to the Outing Club meeting on Monday.  

 

Pinwheels for Peace

Although I was besotted with FSP the moment I walked in the door, I truly fell in love at pinwheels for peace. The event is amazing for many reasons and on many levels, from the utter joy expressed by such a collection of pinwheels, to the serious quest for peace that is core to Quaker values. (The first year, the pinwheels lined the causeway, after that they moved to the beach).

Check this link for more information about the international celebration of Pinwheels for Peace; if you want to get a little mad, check out this Mother Jones article about aggressive military recruitment in high school (and how to opt-out); and if you're interested in peace education and children, check out my now-dormant but full of links blog (hope to get it going again soon).

Other Links :

International Day of Peace resources

The official UN site

A 2005 Yes Magazine curriculum guide for teaching peace to children

FSPPA meeting update

If you were not able to make it to the FSPPA meeting tonight, I'm sure real minutes will be forthcoming. In the meantime...

-- Please check the bulletin board toward the end of the hallway (going down to Carter Hall) and sign up for any committees that interest you (especially blogging :-) ) -- AND, if you are at all willing to help hang posters for our October 20th Parenting for Peace event, please talk to Kim or James ASAP! -- AND there are some copies of the book The Toxic Sandbox available to borrow if you want to get energized for the event... they will be on the front table.

Special invitation to "Action Plan for a Toxic-free World" - at the Camden Opera House next week

Dear Friend of Maine's Environment, Sandra Steingraber at Camden Opera House Friday, September 25th  Reception and cash bar at 6:00 p.m. (food catered by Swan's Way) Event begins at 7:00 p.m. Free, open to the public We hope you are making plans to join us next Friday, September 25th, at the Camden Opera House for Action Plan for a Toxic-free World: the Movement for Safer Chemicals and a Healthier Planet - a special event featuring Sandra Steingraber, with Maine House Speaker Hannah Pingree. Ecologist, author, and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert on the links between environmental pollution and disease. More and more, scientists are finding that common consumer products contain chemicals that are harmful to our bodies, to wildlife, and to the environment. Furniture, cosmetics, even baby bottles contain chemicals that are often unnecessary and are linked to learning disabilities, cancer, and other health problems. Maine is helping lead the way toward a national chemical policy revolution. Dr. Steingraber will discuss the growing movement to reform the way we produce, use, and manage chemicals, and what we can do as citizens and consumers to move our country to policies that ensure that the products we buy are safe for our families and the environment. Read a powerful piece in Orion magazine by Dr. Steingraber. With humor and unabashed honesty, Steingraber delivers a compelling message of hope for how we can achieve a safer, sustainable future. Having heard Sandra's message, I can assure you that you don't want to miss this event.   An RSVP is appreciated, but not necessary. Please register online here.  If you have questions, please contact Leisa Dennett at leisa@nrcm.org or (207) 430-0111.  I hope to see you there!     Matt Prindiville Project Director, Toxics and Clean Production Please forward to your friends.

Natural Resources Council of Maine, 3 Wade Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 Phone: 800-287-2345   Fax: 207-622-4343   Email: nrcm@nrcm.org | Unsubscribe Me

 

 

PARENTS NIGHT this Thursday / In-Service Trip to Wolf's Neck Oct 9th

Hey Friends, Just a reminder that the first FSPA (Friends School Parents Association) meeting and our first classroom meetings are being held on Thursday night, September 17th. Also, we have a ritual of taking a field trip to Wolf's Neck Farm on the first in-service day of the year (a day of no school for kids, but school for teachers). The idea emerged from conversations between those desperate for childcare on in-service days, those wanting time to meet other kids and families, and those able to lend a hand/car seat. Here's a description of the morning ; We will plan to do a barnyard tour and pumpkin hayride. The hayride will include our pumpkin science lesson, and the kids will be able to bring home a pumpkin. Everyone will get a locally grown apple to snack on for the hayride back to the farm! We will meet at Wolf's Neck a little before 10am, and families are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch... The cost is $5.00 per person. Sign-ups will be circulating soon...

FW: Film, Music & Ride for Bpeace | Sept 11-12

*BPEACE EVENTS: SEPT 11-12* Join us for two days of fundraising events for Business Council for Peace, including two films, live Middle Eastern music, & a bike ride! More Info at explorefrontier.com       The anniversary of 9-11 is a moment of reflection for the world. On this anniversary, Frontier and Bpeace are hosting a bike ride for peace to raise funds for its efforts in Afghanistan and Rwanda.

12 Things Really Educated People Know

I'm fascinated by this month's YES magazine (on education) and think this list could spark a really interesting conversation in our community... what would you put on or take off? 12 Things Really Educated People Know Really educated people ... Establish an individual set of values but recognize those of the surrounding community and of the various cultures of the world. Explore their own ancestry, culture, and place. Are comfortable being alone, yet understand dynamics between people and form healthy relationships. Accept mortality, knowing that every choice affects the generations to come. Create new things and find new experiences. Think for themselves; observe, analyze, and discover truth without relying on the opinions of others. Favor love, curiosity, reverence, and empathy rather than material wealth. Choose a vocation that contributes to the common good. Enjoy a variety of new places and experiences but identify and cherish a place to call home. Express their own voice with confidence. Add value to every encounter and every group of which they are a part. Always ask: “Who am I? Where are my limits? What are my possibilities?”

Fwd: Save the Date 10/20 Detox Your Toy Box -- Please help us spread the word!

Dear Friends, 

The Friends School of Portland is offering our second Parenting for Peace event.  On October 20th, we will convene a panel to query the relationship between environmental health and children's health and to seek idea for improving the health of all of our families and communities.  Our panel includes Dr. David Bellinger, from Harvard Medical School, who will share the most updated scientific research with us about the effects that environmental toxins might play in children's health (or health problems); Nicole Borrasso, FSP teacher and seasoned outdoor educator, will help us think about how to engage children in stewardship over our environment and own bodies (without scaring them) and Kristine Jenkins from the Environmental Health Strategy Center, who will share some stories of successful community clean-ups / social change and engage us in a conversation about public policy initiatives on the horizon. 

We will leave time for questions and discussion, and there will be a resource fair to allow us to talk individually with partner organizations*  (including Maine's chapter of  Physician's for Social Responsibility) and to collect information and opportunities for action. 

We hope that you will join us at this FREE event, and we hope you will spread the word to others that you know who are interested in engaging questions about how to collectively detox our toy box (and sandbox, and lunchbox, etc. etc. ) 

Thanks,  Kim 

**  If you are interested in partnering with us on this project, or having a display table at the event, please e-mail Kim @ parentingforpeace.gmail.com .   

Check out this post on The Greater Good Blog

Greetings--

Kim thinks this will be of interest to you:

How Parents Can Help Their Middle Schoolers Succeed

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergoodscience/?p=659

Enjoy.

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http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/greatergoodscience

SIGG BOTTLES

I recently learned (from Kristine Jenkins, who will be on our October 20th Panel) that old SIGG bottles were made with BPA filled liners.  SIGG recently disclosed this and have changed to BPA-free liners.  They are offering a voluntary exchange program for people with old bottles. 

Fwd: Submit to our New Literary Blog!

Click to view this email in a browser

Widgery Wharf Literary Blog
The Telling Room's Young Writers Council has started up a Literary Blog called the Widgery Wharf! Check us out online here, and polish up your latest work to submit it to the blog. We're looking for young authors, ages 8-18, to submit their poetry, prose, and writing of all kinds to our blog. Published a couple of times a month, The Widgery Wharf Literary Blog will soon become a great way for young authors to share their work with an audience. Please check out our Submission Guidelines and get the word out to all the young authors you know to encourage them to submit. The Young Writers Council is still open to new members! If you or someone you know would like to meet with an awesome group of high school aged writers twice a month to run this blog, design a Telling Room Workshop, and write and workshop each others' writing together, email emily@tellingroom.org for more information on how to join up. Our Website  Widgery Wharf Literary Blog Our Books   Visit Us on Facebook   GoodSearch

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FW: Autumn is for actors! Upcoming auditions and theatre programs!

Upcoming Acting Opportunties with the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine In the 2009-2010 season... Things Are Not What They Seem!

Jump to: Everyone Knows What a Dragon Looks Like Master Acting Class: The Audition Monologue Script to Stage: Monsters! Monsters! Everywhere! Kids on the Block A note from the director A note about our season: Things are not what they seem... We have a season full of suprises!  In all of this season's shows we'll see characters learn that the things they've taken for granted were not true at all. ~~~~ Shows will take audiences from China to the North Pole and back to their own back yard with stories about learning the startling, eye-opening, unpredictable truth. ~~~~ You can mark your calendar now with all the important dates of the season!  Full Season Schedule ~~~~ Whether it's in a class, at an audition, on the stage, or just taking in a show, I look forward to seeing you this season at Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine! Break a leg, Reba Short Theatre Artistic Director Questions? Comments? Find more info on our website: www.kitetails.org or contact: Reba Short 207-828-1234 x247 reba@kitetails.org EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT A DRAGON LOOKS LIKE Auditions: August 29th 1-4pm Production: October 15-18 and 22-25   Han is an orphaned gate sweeper in the city of Wu. He has big dreams of one day growing up to be a soldier and protecting his city. One day, a messenger arrives with dreadful news: the wild horsemen of the north are on their way to attack! The people call on the Great Cloud Dragon to come save them, but how do you know a dragon when you see one? And if you met one, what would you do? When the rest of the city rejects an unlikely looking dragon, it's up to Han to find out what a dragon really looks like. We're looking for an ensemble of 11 strong actors between the ages of 9 and 16 to tell this story. Click here for more audition information! MASTER ACTING CLASS: THE AUDITION MONOLOGUE Ages 8-15 September 8, 15, 22 & 29 (Tuesdays) 3:30-5:30pm    How do you pick the right monologue to get the part? How do you rehearse a monologue or prepare for an audition? These classes are for serious young actors who want to give their best first impression to get that part! Cost is $75 for members; $100 for non-members. Participants must register for the entire month. Enrollment is limited to 12. Registration is required!  Register here. SCRIPT TO STAGE: MONSTERS! MONSTERS! EVERYWHERE! Ages 5-8 September 18 & 25, October 2 & 9 (Fridays) 3:30-5:00pm   Come be a monster in our play Monsters! Monsters! Everywhere! Create your own monster character, learn some monster lines, and work on your monster improvisation skills! This is a great opportunity for early readers to develop confidence with language and get their feet wet on stage. Cost is $60 for members; $75 for non-members. Participants must register for the entire month. Enrollment is limited to 12. Registration is required!  Register here. THE KIDS ON THE BLOCK Ages 12-17 Information meeting: September 2 4:30-5:30pm Have you ever wanted... ...to try your hand at puppetry? ...to use theatre to inspire and educate younger children? ...to be part of an ongoing theatre troupe that performs throughout the school year? ...to take a show on tour? If you answered yes to any of those questions, then you'd be perfect for our Kids On The Block puppet troupe! We're looking for middle and high school volunteers to join us in implementing this world-renowned educational program here at the Museum & Theatre and at elementary schools around Maine! Click here for more information about The Kids on the Block.