Summer means swimming!

What do these girls have in common?
They are both Kindermusik grads and they both swim competitively! Kate & Anna met in Kindermusik, later they were on the same swim team. Anna has since moved, but Kate still keeps in touch via email & they attended swim camp together last summer

Summer means the pool, the beach, and the lake. Your child may not be ready for competitive swimming, but you want to make sure they are safe in the water. Here are some places in Rome to get your child prepared for the water.

Jodi Beard recently became a certified infant aquatics instructor. Little Fins is the name of the program. The highlights include:

• teach infants & toddlers from 6 months to 4 years to survive aquatic accidents
• instill a lifelong love of water for your child

You can learn more about the program here. Or give Jodi a call at 706-853-1603.

Another option for learning to swim and improving skills is to take lessons with Sherry Blackwell. Sherry offers lessons for ages 2 -5 at her home pool. Sherry is a former lifeguard and swim instructor. The class size is limited so that your child will receive hands-on individual attention. Sherry's classes are in the late afternoon and early evening throughout the summer months. Her location is in Lindale, Georgia. Call Sherry at 706-346-3369

Once your child can swim 25 yards without assistance and is at least 7 years of age, contact Three Rivers Swim Club to refine your skills. TRSC offers mini-sessions throughout the year to help children master the strokes. The mini-sessions are 3 days a week for 3 weeks, 1 hour sessions. The classes are typically limited to 12 children.

Come to the Park!

You are invited to join us on the playground at Ridge Ferry Park on

Thursday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m.

Look for Kindermusik friends on the playground - weather permitting! 

It's a fun time to let the kids play, and the parent's socialize!
Bring your picnic and enjoy!

Just in Time for Easter

In Kindermusik we occasionally use Gertie balls in class.  Children love to play with balls, and the Gertie ball is great because it's easy to catch. Musically speaking there is a rhythm in playing with balls!
I have 23 balls that are available for $5 each. Color choices are blue, purple, green and pink.  These balls will make a great addition to your Easter basket! You can pay with cash or check. 

It's Ag Week at Berry College

Every spring the Block and Bridle Club at Berry College has Agriculture week.  This week highlights aspects of the agriculture program at the college.  Typically there are tractors and other large farming equipment on the drive into main campus.  This always thrills the kids coming to Kindermusik class.  I haven't seen any tractors yet...but maybe!

Here's the Ag Week Agenda for March 19 - 23:
Monday - Roping Demonstration, 11 - 1 in front of Krannert (student center)
Tuesday - Rent a puppy, $2 donation, 15 minutes to call a puppy yours!  11 - 1, Krannert lawn
Wednesday - Sheep Herding Demonstration and Berry Angus cookout.  Memorial Library lawn beginning at 5 p.m.  Burger is $3, plate is $5.
Thursday - Petting Zoo.  This is favorite for Kindermusik kids!  11 - 1, Krannert lawn.  The kids can pet lambs, calves, sheep and horses.

Not sure where to locate Krannert or Memorial Library, find it here.  Enjoy!!

Summer Schedule & Maps

The summer schedule is out, and it actually begins with Maymester classes. You can pick up a brochure when you come to class or find it here.  Don't wait too long to make your decision, because there is quite a buzz about registering for certain classes with friends!! 

The spring semester has about 5 more sessions, depending on who teaches your class.  Please note that Ms. Wendy's classes will NOT meet the week of March 26.  Ms Kay & Ms Kathryn's classes WILL meet every week, as they are not observing any of the school breaks.

This week in Imagine That we are exploring maps, and places we would like to visit on our train trips.  Imagine That is all about using our imagination and discovery. The children in the Thursday 11 a.m. class brought in maps of places they like to visit.  Here's the group: Avery, Matthew, Alexa, Charlie & Garrett.  My phone doesn't take the best pictures, but you get the idea!

The large map is Avery's world, and it was created as a Christmas gift by his mom.  It's some of his favorite places, and it includes Kindermusik!  Here's another shot...do you see the castle at the top of the map?

Where do you want to go??  Kindermusik can help you imagine it!

Checking Out Schools, part 4

Providence Preparatory is new to the Rome area, having begun in August 2011.  It is an alternative to public and private schools, one that many home schooling families are choosing.  Many parents want to train their children spiritually, which means they need consistent and meaningful time with them.  But, these same parents want academic excellence for their children, yet not wanting to send their child to a local school system five days a week, which reduces parental influence.

PPA is a University Model School, and is one of over 50 schools of this type in the United States. The Rome campus is located at the corner of Kingston Highway and the Loop.  It is housed at the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church facilities.  It provides a solution for many families seeking a viable educational alternative for their children. Through this model, students are prepared for higher education while being developed spiritually.  Providence Prep serves students in Kindergarten through 7th grade.  Plans are to add a grade level each year.

The core academic classes, Math, Language Arts, Science and History, are offered along with elective classes.  Student to teacher ratios are kept small at a maximum of 16:1.  Like a university, students enroll by semester.  The scheduling allows students to take one class or all of their classes at PPA.  Unlike traditional education choices, families can choose to enroll their student in the classes that will fit within their budget or schedule each semester.

Providence Prep is an educational alternative that, until now, has not been among the typical educational choices available to parents in Rome. Its significance lies in its ability to effectively utilize parents in partnership with highly-qualified professional instructors to gain better academic results.   The school has started the accreditation process through the Georgia Accrediting Commission (GAC), and plans to also seek accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

An informational meeting will be held on March 8 and April 12 at 10 a.m.  For more information contact Pam Finnegan 706-235-6655

Checking Out Schools, part 3

It is not too early to begin looking at the next level of education for your child.

You are invited you to visit Berry College Elementary and Middle School. BCEMS is a kindergarten – eighth grade lab school, and is an integral part of Berry’s Charter School of Education and Human Sciences. The school is located on the Mountain Campus of Berry College, a lovely three-mile drive up the “Stretch Road” from the Ford Campus.

There are few schools in the world like BCEMS; they exemplify the ideal of what is possible in education when students are given access to rare pools of extraordinary talent and resources.  At BCEMS, kids grow to love learning in a joyful environment, and that is truly the most valuable objective that could ever be achieved. 

BCEMS offers activities beyond the academics. Some of the activities include: athletics (basketball, golf, cross country, track and tennis), dance & yoga, scouting and more. Students at BCEMS also benefit from the assistance of college students in the classroom.

To learn more, visit:

http://www.berry.edu/academics/education/elementary/ or follow the Quick Link from the main Berry College site to Berry College Elementary and Middle School.